Fab Friday Freebie: I Love You More Than Pumpkin Spice Lattes

This week's Fab Friday Freebie is going to ask you to do a little bit of soul searching...

(click image for print!)

Listen.  The Emilys know all about the unique bond that is between a girl and her PSL.

                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                

It's a special long distance relationship that we sit around so patiently for until we are finally reunited for ONLY 3 months out of the year.
That is dedication.  You go girl! You deserve to hold your head up high! Waiting that long is tough!

So this print is for those girls in said relationship.
For the hopeless romantic,if you will.

The girls that are brave enough to boldly confess what some might call a sin.

(Because really?  Is there any greater love than that of a girl and her PSL? Blasphemy.)

Before you take this print and hang in somewhere sweet and special in your humble abode.
 Ask yourself...
Are you sure? No. Like, are you really sure? Sure that you want to commit to this life altering confession?

If you're one of those girls. Congratulations to you!
If not, then, well, at least you're asking said person that you "love more than pumpkin spice lattes" not to make you prove it ;)

How it Works

We keep all of our printables stored in Google Docs.  When clicking on the printable, you will be redirected to our Google Docs site.  After clicking on your printable, you will click the download button (be sure to do this! Files print more clearly when they're fully downloaded!). Then, print to your hearts desire!

Suggestions

When printing, click "fit to printer margins" or "fit page" to make sure your printable is not cut off or off centered.  We also recommend printing on cardstock to get the highest quality.  If you have any questions or problems while printing or downloading, feel free to contact us!

 Share the Love

We'd love nothing more than if you shared our printable via social media!  We'd love to see what creative ways you use them!  Please be sure to mention us (@emilyyycain @emilyruth_mak) and use our hashtags: #emvitation #theemilyspost

Be Sweet!

These printables were made by The Emilys Post as a FREE gift to you, because, well, we like you!  Please do not alter these images in any way or exclude our logo.  We'll keep being sweet if you keep being sweet!

Be sure to stop by each Friday for a fab Friday Freebie.

We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. We'll see you on Monday!

Until then, Keep Celebrating!

Celebrate YOU: Feeding your Soul

Today we’re picking up in our Celebrate YOU series and talking about ‘feeding your soul’.  I’m sure you’ve heard the term ‘quiet time’ thrown around in one way or another.  In my opinion, this is the most vital step in celebrating YOURSELF.  Giving yourself some time alone with your maker each morning is just good for you. It kicks off your day on the right foot, and I don’t know about you, but whenever I have quiet time I just feel better.

Listen, I am almost constantly talking to God. Constantly.  Whether I’m driving down the road or asking for patience while my three year old is screaming because he refuses to eat his dinner.  I just have to. It keeps me sane.  I know that I’m completely far from perfect (because if I was, I wouldn't need quiet time!), and that I need to pray.

But I do think it’s important to set aside some time, an hour, a minute, whatever you can, to spend some time completely devoted to the Lord.  So here’s what my quiet time looks like…

I pray.

Where I come from, prayer is not something that has to be perfect.  There’s no right prayer or wrong prayer.  There’s no magical words that I have to say to ensure that God is listening.  It’s just talking.  Telling Him what’s on my heart.  Tell him my concerns and my desires.  Just pouring everything I have on to him.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

“Pray continually;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

That last one is my favorite.  “Pray continually”. That’s it.  It doesn’t say how to pray, it doesn’t say what to pray, it just says to pray and pray continually.

I really really encourage you to pray!

I journal.

I have 2 journals.  One is just notes that I take from what I’ve read or what verse is speaking to my heart.  Sometimes it’s scribbled and a mess of thoughts, and sometimes it looks like this…

I’m always so intrigued by the thoughts that enter my head when I’m trying to make a perfect ‘L’ with a pretty colored pen.  It’s said that we should meditate on scripture, and I’ve found that this is a good way for me to meditate on each word.  My thoughts slow down, and I am concentrating on what I’m writing.  Things seem to pop in my head that I didn’t know were there. I know it sounds silly, but it works for me! 

My other journal is a simple legal pad that I call my ‘thankful’ journal. Each day I make myself write down 5 things that I’m currently thankful for and 5 things that are on my heart (prayers).  Notice I said make.  Sometimes it’s just one of those doom and gloom days, and I don’t feel like being thankful for anything.  I’ve realized that if I can just start my day off by looking at the bigger picture, it tends to bring me up on those down days.

You always have somethingS to be thankful for.  Always, always, always.

Sometimes my ‘I am thankful for’s are big.  Like good doctor’s visits, and a sorority sister getting her new pair of long awaited lungs.  And sometimes they’re just really simple things.  Like nice people to work with, or a great conversation with a friend.

There’s always something to be thankful for.

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 118:1

Then there’s my 5 prayers.  Sometimes those prayers are deep, and urgent, and somewhat scary.  And sometimes they’re just prayers that my son has a good day at preschool, or that I have a safe road trip out of town.

There’s always something or someone to pray for.

The coolest part is looking back on this journal and seeing what I had prayed for, and how God answered my prayer. 

Remember:  God will ALWAYS answer your prayers.  They just might not be the answer you were wanting.

I read the Bible and books by Christian authors.

Usually I do this simultaneously.  I’ll start out by reading my book or devotion and then study the scriptures that were used in my readings.  

Currently I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and His Princess by Sheri Rose.  I’ve got my eye on ‘Bringing Up Boys’ by Dr. James Dobson and plan to read that next. I really encourage you to find a devotion or book.  

These books are definitely not a substitute for the Bible, but it is nice to read others Christian perspectives on what life can throw at you.

Here are a few devotions that we have read or are currently reading that we think you might enjoy…

1. His Princess:  Love Letters from your King by Sheri Rose

2. Crazy Love by Francis Chan

3. My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

4.  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

I really really encourage you to take some time for YOU for your SOUL, the most important part of you, and start your day off with the Lord.  Whether it be an hour or a few minutes, just kick off your day by spending time with God.  It will start your day off on the right foot and your time with the Lord will last throughout the day.

“Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, he is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

Psst… Both of the 5x7 printables can be found on our google docs site, in case you’re interested ;) just click on the prints to be redirected.

Keep Celebrating,

I'm Bananas For You

I would like to consider myself a “glass half full” kind of girl. I always try to see the positive side of things and I always try to make sure that my perspective is in check, so when I saw that the bananas I bought were starting to go brown I got a tad bit upset. (Disclaimer: I am one of those strange people who are extremely picky about my bananas. If they aren’t a tad bit green at the top, I don’t like them; so you can only imagine my distraught to see brown spots.)

But before throwing out my three browning bananas, it dawned on me, BANANA BREAD! You have to have browning bananas to make banana bread!

New mantra everybody, “When life gives you browning bananas, make banana bread.”

So I went to my recipe box and pulled the recipe out. (Hey, what do you know? It calls for three bananas. This must have been fate, right?)  I quickly realized that I could make quite a bit of banana bread, so why not give some away to my friends and neighbors while I was at it? Turns out a few browning bananas can feed a small village or an apartment complex in my case.

Want to make some of your own now? Already ahead of you friends!

(click on the recipe card to be redirected to Google Docs for a printable version of the recipe!)

EASY PEASY!

If you want to send them out as gifts like I did, bake them in mini loaf pans. (Just make sure you adjust the cooking time! Otherwise, you’ll end up with bricks for your next home renovation.) And to make things even easier on y’all, we've made some gift tags that you can download and use yourself! Just buy some plastic gift bags and wrap them up!  

(click on the picture to be redirected to Google Docs for downloads!)

Because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t find banana bread “a-peel-ing?”

 Keep Celebrating!

Celebrate YOU: Having 'You Time'

Around here, we like to celebrate.  Birthdays, holidays, engagements, 'Hey! You woke up today and put two feet on the floor' days... Every day, to us, is a day to celebrate because everyday is a gift from the Lord, and, well, gifts are worth celebrating!

But one thing I think we as women forget to do from time to time is to take a step back and just celebrate OURSELVES. 

Let's face it, I'm sure the last thing on your mind as you're crawling into bed at night is 'Did I take care of myself today?' 

It's only natural that in whatever walk of life that you're in right now, whether it be a new mom, new wife, college student, or a newbie at your job, that we think of others.  We're women, that's what we do... We like to nurture others (Which the Bible totally says we should do, so hey, we are AWESOME! Give yourself a pat on the back!). 

Sometimes it takes everything I have to remember to take some time for myself that day.  But one thing I've noticed since starting to do so is how much more put together I feel throughout the day. How much more I can hear my own thoughts.  

That's what 'Celebrate You' is about.  In the next few weeks, we'll unpack the idea of what it takes to actually celebrate yourself.  We'll talk about...

1.  Having 'You Time'

Setting time aside each day to devote to spending time with yourself and no one else.

2.  Feeding Your Soul

Having quiet time for prayer and devotion

3.  Pampering Yourself

Investing time into things that you enjoy

These are the three things that I, personally, have found that helps me really channel my inner "me".  Sometimes I think we're all so busy in life getting to know our surroundings as well as other people that we forget that we actually need to get to know ourselves!
So let's jump right in, shall we?  Let's talk about

You time, in my opinion, is a completely essential part in taking care of yourself.  It keeps us focused and, well, sane.  And by taking care of yourself I don't mean your health or your appearance..

 I mean taking.care.of.yourself.

Look at it this way.

I have a 3 year old.  I take care of him.  Yes, I make sure I take him to doctor's appointments and give him baths every night, but I also spend time getting to know him (he changes EVERY DAY!), learning what interests him, and genuinely LOVING him.  I take care of him by meeting both his physical needs as well as his emotional needs

Are you treating yourself the same way I treat my son?  Do you actually take time to get to know yourself?  Do you spend time doing things that genuinely interest you?  Do you love on yourself?

I know I'm guilty of putting myself last on the list.

So 'You Time'... What does that look like?

Here are three characteristics that I believe your 'You Time' should possess...

1. You time = ALONE time

I hope this one goes without saying but it's kind of hard to be focusing on yourself with other people around.  Pick a time or place during the day that you know you can be in peace.  A great example of this is my mom's 'you time'.  Every Saturday and Sunday my mom sits out on her back porch (given the weather's nice enough) and has her coffee and breakfast.  My dad is a HUGE landscaping guru and my mom always says that she enjoys this time to herself in the mornings to observe her backyard and all of the hard work my dad's put into it.  She says this is a great way for her to remind herself of her blessings.

2.  'You Time' is enjoyable

Also, hopefully, another given, but you should always enjoy what you're doing during your 'You Time'.  One thing that comes to mind that I personally don't think is a great idea to spend your deemed 'You Time' is hitting the gym.  Remember what we're doing here.  We're CELEBRATING ourselves.  I don't know about you, but when I'm at the gym, I'm doing anything but celebrating.  This is a time to take a load off and relax! 

One person that I know for an absolute fact that enjoys his 'You Time' is my daddy.  Like I said earlier, that man has a green thumb.  He could probably make a silk plant come to life if he really wanted to.  He just loves to be outside and messing around in his yard. Like l.o.v.e.s. it. Ever heard of seasonal depression? You can thank my dad for that.  He invented it.  If it's too cold to be outside with his plants (and trust me, that's got to be pretty darn cold) he is just not a happy camper.  He'd probably never tell me this, but I think him being in the yard is a sort of therapy for him, and that's really what this is all about.

3.  You time is consistent

This one's the kicker, my friend.  'You Time' should be consistent.  Make it a point to schedule your 'You Time'.  Not down to the minute but at least set aside either an hour each day, or each week to have your 'You Time'. Why?  Because it's going to give you something to look forward to.

Listen, my 'You Time' is always in the evenings before I go to bed.  About an hour before I call it a night, I wash my face, get in my pjs, and do a bedtime yoga sequence via Youtube (you can find the sequence HERE and thank me later!).  I am the type of person that goes to bed at 10 only to have my mind start to slow down at 12:30, but ever since I incorporated my 'You Time' bedtime yoga, it has helped TREMENDOUSLY!

Trust me, when all I can hear is my 3-year-old screaming for french fries and Sesame Street, knowing that in just about an hour I'm going to 'check out' to the rest of the world keeps me going.  There are days that I'm wishing for it at 8 am and days I'm wishing for it at 8 pm, and then there's extra special days when it just sneaks up on me like a pleasant surprise, but regardless it's something I can anchor to.

When Emily M. and I lived together in college, I always noticed Emily would go for a walk around the same time each day (given the weather permitted it).  I never outright asked her why she was taking those walks until one day she mentioned that she walked so that she could clear her mind.

Don't we all need that?
To just let go of what's going on?  Just for an hour?
That's what YOU TIME is for!

 I really hope you'll start brainstorming and getting in the mind set of how you can start giving yourself some 'You Time'.  Already have a 'You Time'?  We'd love to hear it.. It might just be what someone else needs to hear!

Keep Celebrating!

Friday's Freebie: Sorority Printables!

Well ladies, the wait is over!

You can now download our Sigma Kappa Sorority prints!

Frame one and put it on your desk or nightstand, pin it to your dorm room door or corkboard, or create a gallery wall using multiple prints, pictures of your sisters, and some pretty Greek letters or your monogram!  You can also give them away as a big/little, heart sister, or initiation gift.

Hello?! Endless possibilities here, people.

While we really do bleed lavender and maroon over here (and may or may not do housework while humming "Sigma Kappa we love you.. WOAH WOAH WOAH!"..seriously don't judge us), we definitely want to show some panhellenic love here by giving away prints with your letters on them, whatever they may be! 

Just contact us and let us know your sorority and which print you'd like and we'll send it your way!

How it Works

We keep all of our printables stored in Google Docs.  When clicking on the printable, you will be redirected to our Google Docs site.  After clicking on your printable, you will click the download button (be sure to do this! Files print more clearly when they're fully downloaded!). Then, print to your hearts desire!

Suggestions

When printing, click "fit to printer margins" or "fit page" to make sure your printable is not cut off or off centered.  We also recommend printing on cardstock to get the highest quality.  If you have any questions or problems while printing or downloading, feel free to contact us!

   

   

 Share the Love

We'd love nothing more than if you shared our printable via social media!  We'd love to see what creative ways you use them!  Please be sure to mention us (@emilyyycain @emilyruth_mak) and use our hashtags: #emvitation #theemilyspost

Be Sweet!

These printables were made by The Emilys Post as a FREE gift to you, because, well, we like you!  Please do not alter these images in any way or exclude our logo.  We'll keep being sweet if you keep being sweet!

We hope you enjoy your new Greek decor!

Be sure to stop by each Friday for a fab Friday Freebie.

We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. We'll see you on Monday!

Until then, Keep Celebrating!

Address to Impress

I am a firm believer that a first impression can go a long way and that we should do small things with great love.  This belief of mine is not excluded to sending out letters in the mail.

I love receiving and sending out letters and invitations!  One of my favorite parts about sending out mail is addressing the envelopes.

I guess that sounds a little strange, but since we live in the age of evites, Facebook groups, and group text messaging, our mailboxes tend to be filled with more junk mail, or even worse bills, than a nice thank you note, a pretty birthday or party invite, or just a friendly hello.

I can only imagine the excitement people get when they are sorting through their typed-addressed and blah white envelopes to find a bright and colorful handwritten envelope.  It's like discovering a diamond in the ruff!  You know something fun is inside, and better yet, it's from someone you actually know (What?  People used to get mail from people they actually knew and not large companies?  Now that's just bananas).

I like to add a little sparkle and shine when addressing my envelopes, and here are just a few ways that you can too!

1.  Use colored envelopes.  Depending on the occasion, try to stand out among the rest of the drab mail.  I wouldn't recommend this for a condolence or formal thank you letter, but if it's just to say hey or a party invite, I think the brighter the better!  People are more likely to open the bright pink envelope first over a boring white one.

2.  Address using colored ink.  I love, love, love using paint pens or colorful pens when addressing envelopes, especially if it's in gold or silver!  They seem to give your letter just a little bit more pop!
*Be careful though!  If you like to use a ruler and draw lines on the envelope to make the address straight like I do, be sure to erase those lines before writing with a paint pen.  If you try to erase afterwards, your lettering will smear!  Take it from someone who learned that the hard way...

3.  Mix up fonts.  I think it always shows off some creativity and interest when you mix up your fonts.  I usually like to write the name of the lucky recipient in cursive or a fun script-like font and then write the address in all capitols or in bold.  Just be sure that no matter what kind of handwritten font you use, that the address is legible to the post office.  The last thing you want is to have an invitation returned because the mailman couldn't read who it was supposed to go to!

4.  Add some graphics.  Want to really spice up your mail and impress the person you're sending it to?  Add a wreath around the address, draw a bow, arrow, flags, whatever you like or fits the occasion underneath, above, or beside the address!  It shows that you put time and thought into their letter.  Trust me, people will take notice!

So pull out those pens and stationary, and start writing that thank you note you've been putting off or that letter of encouragement you know someone needs.  I guarantee it will bring a smile to their face and make their day just a little bit brighter!

Keep Celebrating,

Sorority Recruitment Gifts

Last weekend the Emilys took on Chattanooga for some bid day fun (more on that later!).  Our sorority welcomed in 52 girls into our sisterhood, and aside from the severe heat, we had such a great time visiting with all of our "little" sisters!

More importantly though, is that my sister-in-law will soon become my SORORITY SISTER, and needless to say, I'm completed ecstatic about it!

Can we just have a nostalgic moment really quick?  Fall gets me in that feeling sometimes (newsflash- the PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE came back TODAY- so it's safe to consider it fall).
Listen, I remember being that freshman girl, running out to my sorority on bid day and then returning to my dorm that evening thinking that I needed to buy ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in sight that had a Gator, Dove, or the colors maroon or lavender on it. I mean it. Everything.  And I don't really think I ever got out of that little crazed funk considering my Junior year I painted the walls of my bedroom LAVENDER? (Who does that? Apparently, 20 year old me does...)
I'd call it a deranged sickness, but I don't think I was alone.

So today I'm sharing a few printables that can easily be given to any sorority girl in your life (that may or may not be suffering from said sickness...) who's gone through sorority recruitment!

The best thing about these is that all you need is a white frame and you're golden!

What's that? How do I get super cute printables that has my sorority on them so that I can keep and/or give them to someone, you say? And how much for them?  Is that what I'm hearing?

Check back here on FRIDAY for our Friday Freebies!

Pssst... These may or may not be them!

Until then, Keep Celebrating!