{IG Auction} A Winter-Inspired Children's Crown for a Good Cause

From November 4th-8th, Pamela from MacDonald's Playland will be hosting an auction on Instagram to help raise money for children and women affected by homelessness and domestic violence through their charity, Project Lead Kindly. You can follow along with the auction at @AuctionLeadKindly on IG here to place your bids. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!!

To help raise money for PLK, I've created a one of a kind children's floral crown created with peach, ivory and sage green hues with a bit of gold detail. The crown is attached to 2 ivory shear ribbons for an adjustable fit for ages 3-10. This pretty piece is also lined with soft felt fabric for a comfortable wear paired with a little one's favorite outfit. The starting bid is just $10 so follow us on IG at @LoveSparklePretty and @AuctionLeadKindly to stay up to date on the auction. Place your bid on the crown HERE-Remember, today is the LAST DAY!

Speaking of charities, there is another that is dear to me, Operation Smile. While I was going to school to become a nurse, I remember learning about different congenital defects that can happen within developing fetuses-one of them being the cleft lip and cleft palate. There are several difficulties and infections that can occur with someone who is born with this, including difficulty eating and speaking, ear disease, dental problems and more. Since I was in school then, I was able to help out with this charity just by renting some of my textbooks from Campus Book Rentals (you know how expensive it is to buy textbooks these days). They donate to Operation Smile with each book rented!

For over 30 years, Operation Smile has been performing safe surgeries for those in developing countries suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate. What's even more amazing is that those performing the surgeries and providing healthcare for these underprivileged children are all volunteers! So beautiful! You can read more about this cause right here.

Below are just a couple of children that have been positively impacted and treated by Operation Smile.

Lucas, a sweet 5 year old boy from Brazil got a new start and was able to attend school once again after being bullied for his cleft lip. Read more about his story here.

Precious little Chisomo from Malawi, suffered from malnutrition due to his cleft lip and cleft palate but was finally able to get his surgery done after regaining health. Read more of Chisomo's story here.


What are some of your favorite charities and causes to support?

**A portion of this post his been sponsored but all of the opinions and statements are my own. I truly believe in both of these causes.**

Loving Lately (A Fox Inspired Styled Shoot, Dream Catchers & A Heart Warming Cause)

What I am loving this beautiful Monday morning.

This fox-inspired bridal shoot by Tara Shiloh Photography.

Tara contacted me a few months ago asking if I'd create some unique pieces for this shoot that she had in mind in the snow fallen woods. So fascinated by her amazing concept, I created a headpiece made with black tulle as a blusher veil and fox ears. I also made some last minute wrist cuffs with left over tulle and pretty vintage-inspired buttons. These are pieces I will forever treasure from the styled shoots that I've been a part of!

I was SO excited to see this creative process come to life in the couple of 'sneak peeks' she just recently posted!! I want to see more!

Cooking.

I never thought I'd say it but I have really enjoyed being in the kitchen and making something delicious from our own home! My husband and I just bought a couples cookbook and have made a few yummy recipes so far (except for the one where a "pinch" of red pepper flakes turned into half of the container because the lid came off)! Ha! Spending this time together has been a lot of fun. Not to mention, the SCRUMPTIOUS food we get to eat that we made! 

I think I will make some fruity pancakes this morning with eggs and greens...

Being Productive.

Ok, so maybe getting ready for taxes isn't something that I'm "loving" but I can say that I love the feeling of getting things done and marking things off a list. Lately, I've been waking up around 5:30 am to start my day. It certainly has not been easy (especially because of my hypothyroid) but after doing it for a few weeks, I feel SO much better throughout the day and I feel more energetic to be productive. It's been really nice to wake up before baby love, drink my coffee, do my devotion and head to the craft room or start house chores and breakfast before the sun comes up.

If you aren't a morning person (like so many of us) and feel like you have less energy than your daily tasks require, I strongly suggest getting up earlier than your normal wake up time. After doing this for about a week (even a day), you will notice a major difference and it will become a healthy habit!

Dream Catchers.

There's just something so whimsical and inspiring about these beauties!

I have been creating dream catchers made with laces, feathers, beads and now sweet little inspirational quotes hand sewn to them. I have been debating whether or not I should add them to the shop because I'm not sure if they are cohesive with my pieces already available. Until I make up my mind, I've been taking custom orders (lovesparklepretty@aol.com)! See more of my designs on Instagram.

Speaking of dreams...

Heart Warming Causes-especially those that help sweet baby loves.

Operation Smile has been such a beautiful cause since 1982. They have performed over 200,000 free cleft surgeries world wide that have saved countless lives of children. What a wonderful gift those medical professionals are sharing!

A few years ago when I was getting ready for Nursing School, I came across Campus Book Rentals who actually give back to this charity with every rented book. Not only do you get your college books at a discounted price (40%-90% cheaper than bookstore prices) with FREE shipping both ways, but you also help save children's lives by giving to Operation Smile. 

Campus Book Rentals also has a new program called Rent Back where instead of selling your books, you can rent them to other students and make more money! It's the better alternative than reselling your books at the end of the semester/quarter.

What are you loving today??


**A portion of this post his been sponsored with compensation but all of the opinions and statements are my own.**

Operation Smile + a way you can help

Statistics say that every three minutes a child is a born with a cleft lip and 1 out of 10 of those children die before their first birthday! Operation Smile is an international charity made up of medical professionals who have performed over 200,000 free cleft surgeries for children all over the world since 1982. With that said, they have been "the largest volunteer-based medical charity providing cleft surgeries."
I can only imagine the gratitude that the parents and children must have toward those that have helped heal a life-threatening deformity in their lives. Not only that, but to be able to change lives because you absolutely love it and want to is so rewarding for the medical teams.

{Read Jean's story here}

Operation Smile brings hope to families and puts a beautiful smile on innocent, loving children all over the world!
Want to know how you can help? Campus Book Rentals has teamed up with this amazing organization! With every text book rented, a donation is contributed to Operation Smile. What better way to get books for college at a GREAT price and help such a great charity at the same time!

photo credit

I have actually rented from Campus Book Rentals back when I was taking my nursing pre-reqs and had a great experience. It's so much cheaper to rent your books and it's free shipping both ways! They also have a new program called Rent Back where instead of selling your books, you can rent them to other students and make more money. Cool right?
I KNOW how expensive books can be for school (been there, done that) but you don't have to pay the crazy prices. Save your money by renting textbooks from Campus Book Rentals and be a part of a life-saving charity! It doesn't get any better then that!
Have a great day friends!

**This is a sponsored post but all of the opinions and statements are my own.**