twenty-six thoughts and a giveaway

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A few days ago I turned 26. I hopped over the hump of twenty-somethings, edged a whole lot closer to 30 than 19, and honestly I couldn't feel happier about it.

On my birthday's eve, Jeff whisked me away for dinner and a little shopping date. We didn't buy anything fancy, just drooled over iPads that we couldn't afford at the Apple store, and yet I returned home with an overwhelming sense of contentment and muchness. I love this season in my life.

Odd as it may sound, I'm finally feel like a legit grown-up. A grown-up who still knows how to have fun and who, ironically, feels more like a kid than ever when she lays on the floor with coloring crayons and sings about the wheels on the bus.

I'm beginning to feel just plain comfortable in my own skin. It's wonderful. I feel like I know more of my likes and dislikes than ever before, and find fewer things getting under my skin. I think I'm learning how to let things go. The more life experiences, the easier it is to see the big picture. You know, that extravagantly beautiful picture God paints in our lives as he calls us and loves us.

I'm learning to rejoice in the little things, which as it turns out, are really really big things. Like our health, having food on the table, the boy's constant messes, and the piles of laundry.

I love being married to Jeff more and more every day. Did I tell you he made me the most extraordinary flourless chocolate birthday cake? {Flourless cakes of all kinds are our absolute favorite desserts lately.} I've tried a few different recipes, but Jeff's absolutely swept me off my feet. He allegedly added 15 ounces of pure chocolate. Slightly snug jeans aside, it was absolutely heavenly and a super far cry from the horrible artificially flavored strawberry box cake he made for my 22nd birthday (although I was still charmed by his efforts).

So here's to number 26, a head full of dreams, and a heart full of joy.

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And even though the day + cake have come and gone, there's still a lil' birthday giveaway that I'd love to share:

Have you heard of the Shabby Apple? They are owned by two women entrepreneurs who are devoted to designing stylish and sensible women's dresses, little girl dresses, and cute accessories, and also committed to helping women worldwide. I'm super delighted to give away this simple North Shore dress to one lucky lady. (An $88 value). I love the rosey shoulder and am certain that the waistline would flatter any body type. You know you could use this in your spring wardrobe!

Giveaway ends Wednesday 2/23! And even if you don't win, the Shabby Apple is kindly offering readers 10% off their purchases through the month of March. Simply enter livingtheswelllife10off at the check out. Yay!

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You can enter in one (or 3!) ways:

1. Leave a comment telling how you would accessorize this dress, imagining you are the lucky winner. (C'mon, you know you have the perfect shoes or headband!)

2. Give the Shabby Apple girls your thumbs up on facebook (and leave a comment if you did).

3. Share a link to this giveaway on your social media site of choice to help spread the word (then leave a comment to let me know you did)!

*for US residents only, please.