Erin, Author at Home With The Boys

Custom State Necklaces for $11.95!

December 6, 2013 By Erin 1 Comment

I have included affiliate links below. When you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting this site and our sponsorship of our Compassion child, Samson!

This deal could not come at a better time! You will want to buy these as gifts for everyone!

Today (12/6/13) only, Cents of Style is offering an exclusive first run deal, while supplies last, of their custom designed state necklaces, available for all 50 states!

Fashion Friday- 12/6/13- Custom State Necklaces- $11.95 & FREE SHIPPING with Code HOME

Your choice of state necklace will be $11.95 + FREE SHIPPING with the coupon code HOME, over 50% off the retail price! I absolutely LOVE my Nebraska necklace and have received so many compliments on it!

The necklace is a metal alloy in brushed silver. It has an 18″ chain with a 3″ extender. The pendant is the outline of each state and has a contrasting brushed gold heart charm, as well.

Each necklace comes in its own custom designed Cents of Style envelope with string and button closure – a perfect gift for those close and far from home this holiday season! The necklaces will all ship next week and arrive in time for Christmas!

Based on past Fashion Friday deals from Cents of Style, these will go fast!

Which state{s} will you be ordering?!

*I was provided a necklace to review. All opinions are 100% my own!

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Filed Under: deals, fashion

The Ultimate Guide to Brain Breaks eBook

O Holy Night Free Chalkboard Printables!

December 5, 2013 By Erin 1 Comment

O Holy Night is my most favorite Christmas song of all time. I love lots of other ones – Sleigh Ride, Carol of the Bells, Silent Night – but O Holy Night is at the very top of my list.

This year I just had to have some O Holy Night in our holiday decor, so I made up a few chalkboard printables to frame. I think I could make ten more because I love so many lyrics from the song!

These three will have to do for now! If you’d like to print them for yourself, just click on each image to get an 8×10 PDF to download!

What is your favorite Christmas song?

*Free rustic graphics courtesy of We Lived Happily Ever After

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Filed Under: Christmas, printable

10 {More} Favorite Christmas Albums!

December 5, 2013 By Erin 1 Comment

It’s been a while since I posted about my favorite Christmas albums! Three years to be exact. And while those albums are all still favorites of mine, being a Christmas music fanatic, I’ve added many new favorites to the list as well!

Here are ten MORE favorite Christmas albums, in no particular order…

Pentatonix – PTXMAS

This is a new discovery for us. Along with everyone else on the Internet, we fell in love with their a cappella version of Little Drummer Boy and I immediately wanted the whole album. I’m a sucker for a capella.

Casting Crowns – Peace on Earth

I love their versions of Christmas classics, but the real winners on this album are the original songs, Peace on Earth and While You Were Sleeping.

Chris Tomlin – Glory in the Highest

Well, our household loves anything Chris Tomlin does and this album is no exception. Just beautiful. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus is a special treat.

Third Day – Christmas Offerings

I have to admit, I wasn’t a big Third Day fan until we saw them in concert at Lifelight several years ago. Now I just love them. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” is a favorite.

A Very She & Him Christmas

Please tell me you know about this album?!?! I love Zooey Deschanel’s voice and this album is full of just plain fun Christmas music!

A Slugs and Bugs Christmas

This is a MUST HAVE for the kids, but I enjoy it as well! Happy Birthday Jesus is the most fun {replacing the song of the same name I have never cared for} and there are so many other fun ones your whole family will love!

BarlowGirl – Home for Christmas

These girls know how to rock, but they also put out a great Christmas album! Love their voices and

WOW Christmas {2013}

This is at the top of my want list right now! The WOW Christmas albums are always packed with lots of Christmas goodies!

Glee Christmas {Volume 2 + Volume 3}

Just like Volume 1, Glee continues to produce fabulous Christmas music on volumes 2 and 3! I can’t wait for volume 4 to be revealed this week!

Elf Soundtrack

Did you know Elf has been out for 10 years now?! I love all Christmas movies {currently addicted to Hallmark Christmas movies}, but Elf has taken my #1 favorite spot and the great music is one of the reasons why.

And I have to add one favorite song that will totally brighten your day…

Your turn! Favorite Christmas albums? New or classic?

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Filed Under: Christmas, music

What I Wore: Layla’s Shop

December 4, 2013 By Erin 4 Comments

I love this crazy social media world because you never know who you’ll end up connecting with! Several weeks ago, I discovered Layla’s Shop through Instagram, and today I get to show you some of their fabulous AND affordable wardrobe pieces and accessories!

The lace tunic was exactly what I had been looking for – a nice, long, feminine top that covers my rear! I love the antique gold buttons, and although I’m not usually a huge lace fan, I adore the lace detail at the bottom of this top…

Layla’s Shop has a little bit of everything – great tops, pants, coats, bags, shoes, scarves, and jewelry, like this gorgeous piece…

I love this metallic statement necklace! It goes with so many different outfits and can dress up even a basic solid tee. I thought is was fun that it matched the buttons on the tunic!

A few things you need to know about Layla’s Shop: they find GREAT deals for you and offer them at GREAT prices. They host fun deals on Instagram every day. And everything goes fast! So if you see something you like, get it now before it’s gone!

There are still a few carryover $5 sale items left from Black Friday and there are fun new arrivals added all the time! Seriously, go follow them on Instagram NOW to keep up with the fabulous deals!

AND…wait for it… You can get 20% off your entire order with the code Homewiththeboys now through December 10th!!!

Now, head on over to Layla’s Shop and find something you love! And come back to tell me what you ordered!

I’m linking up with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy!

**I was provided these items to review by Layla’s Shop. I was not compensated in any other way for this post, and all opinions are 100% my own!

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Filed Under: fashion, what i wore, what I wore

The Family That Runs Together…

December 3, 2013 By Erin Leave a Comment

A friend recently told me Thanksgiving Day is now the most road-raced day in the country! And while we weren’t in a road race, our family joined the many others racing Thanksgiving morning before consuming all the yummy holiday food!

The Hubby ran a trail half marathon {the same one we did last Thanksgiving} in much colder, windier temps than we endured last year! He also crushed our time from last year without me to slow him down, but said it was much lonelier!

And the boys asked the night before Thanksgiving if they could run the 400m Lil’ Gobbler trail run with me after Daddy’s race! Of course, we said yes! So we bundled up to cheer on The Hubby and then run a little ourselves…

It was the boys’ first official race and we were so proud of them for taking it on, especially in that weather! Brrr! The Hubby and Double J stayed in the van to keep warm while we did the Lil’ Gobbler, so the boys ran to show them their medals after the race!

To cap off our running holiday, I did a Jingle Bell Run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation the day after Thanksgiving! I love a good fun run for charity!

They gave each of us jingle bells to tie to our shoelaces and we ran through beautifully lit up areas for Christmas! Fun and festive! And a 8:52 pace – not too shabby!

I love that we all got a little running in this holiday – even Double J did a few laps around the table! The family that runs together, right?!

Did you do a race or fun run this past long weekend? What are your favorite holiday races?

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Filed Under: family, healthy living, running

#FairTradeTuesday: Trades of Hope

December 3, 2013 By Erin Leave a Comment

We’re celebrating Fair Trade Tuesday today by sharing a new organization I discovered through one of my readers, Kari!

Trades of Hope partners with women and groups in 13 different countries to sell their handcrafts here in the United States! Kari is one of their compassion entrepreneurs, sharing about Trades of Hope online and at home parties!

I asked Kari to share with us a little more about how Trades of Hope works…

A common question that is asked about Trades of Hope is “What percentage of the sale goes to the artisans?” There actually isn’t a set percentage, as prices vary widely all over the world, so I thought it’d be good to explain the way this works!

To start, when Trades of Hope works with an artisan group, that group is able to earn 3-6 times more than what their local economy would pay them. This is huge, especially when you consider that their alternative is typically prostitution or giving their children up for adoption or begging.

When Trades of Hope places an order (to hold here in the U.S. for selling and shipping to customers) they pay the artisans 50% up front, so they can get paid while they work, and then pays the remainder upon delivery. The artisan group sets the price at a fair wage, so they are able to provide much more for their family, including food, shelter, medical care, and education. Trades of Hope pays the artisan’s asking price.

And when Trades of Hope offers a sale, they are the ones who take the hit, as the artisans have already been paid. The faster the product sells, the faster we get to go back and re-order, giving more money to the artisans.

I love knowing exactly how the business works and blesses the creators of beautiful pieces like this bag…

The Sonia Striped Bag immediately caught my eye because of the black and white pattern that is such a hot trend, but also always in style! But also because of this story behind it…

This beautiful handbag is made by artisans in a Leprosy Colony, located in India. All the Artisans either have leprosy themselves or their family members have leprosy. Those with Leprosy have disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. Leprosy is totally curable. Sadly, when one makes less than two dollars a day, they just cannot get the simple cure. All those making the products are in a loving environment and have been cured so that they are no longer contagious.

Those who were treated for Leprosy in the hospital were either unwelcome back in their own homes, or thought they would be unwelcome and chose not to return home. Because of this, they settled in simple huts made of mud beside the railway land, slowly forming a community. In their own small community in India, they are secure and do not have to hide their disabilities and disease! Lives are being transformed, as they are learning how to hope and feel valued once again!

***Every person in this community who has had leprosy has been treated and no longer has the disease or the ability to spread the disease, so there is no risk to anyone who buys a bag made from the colony. Also, leprosy is completely curable! If caught early and treated properly, the patient need not even become disabled at all. They becomes non-infectious about a week after the first dose of multi drug therapy.

It really is amazing to hold the bag and know that God is changing the lives of people who made it!

As far as the bag goes, it is a GREAT size. It holds a lot without being too big. The handwoven material is beautiful, yet very sturdy. And the bag zips shut! A bag that zips shut is very important to this mama!

If you would like to order the Sonia Striped bag for yourself, Kari has generously offered to give you 10% off the bag’s original price! Just send her an email klseibel at gmail dot com and she’ll take care of you!

Trades of Hope is also having a sale today for Fair Trade Tuesday on the Runner of Gold and the Cambodian Ornaments, both of which are 50% off. There is also free shipping through the month of December for orders over $100!

Where are you shopping fair trade today?

Besides Trades of Hope, we also love fashionABLE, The Root Collective, The Mocha Club, Noonday Collection, and Johari Creations! Shop to make a difference today!

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Filed Under: fashion, make a difference

Blue Nile Branch Necklace Giveaway!

December 2, 2013 By Erin 39 Comments

‘Tis the season for gift-giving, and I have a lovely gift to share with you thanks to Blue Nile!

Blue Nile sent me two of these sweet blue boxes – one for me and one for you – and inside is this gorgeous necklace…

The Branch necklace is a timeless sterling silver piece – delicate, classy, and just the right touch of shine around any woman’s neck!

I paired mine with a collared shirt the other day and fell in love! I know I can wear it with so many outfits. It’s the kind of necklace that goes with just about any outfit!

I know you want one of your own, so how about that giveaway?! Just enter below to win!

And if you want to do a little shopping over at Blue Nile, just use the code BNHH10 to get 10% off your order through January 1st!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I was provided two necklaces – one to review and one to giveaway – from Blue Nile. I was not compensated in any other way for this post, and all opinions are 100% my own.

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Filed Under: fashion, giveaway

Black Friday Deals!

November 29, 2013 By Erin Leave a Comment

This is a long post, folks, but I promise it is a GOOD one, especially if you’re in the mood for deals you don’t have to wait in line or leave your house to snag!

Black Friday 2013, here we go!

Black Friday- Boot Socks- $7.95 & FREE SHIPPING with Code BLACKFRIDAY

Cents of Style

Cents of Style has TWO fun sales that go perfectly together! The Brooke cable knit boot socks are just $7.95 + FREE SHIPPING with the code BLACK FRIDAY. These are not full socks, but more like short leg warmers that look super cute peeking out over your tall boots or layered over the top of heels! They available in 6 colors and are 70% off regular price!

And to go with your new boot socks, snag some CUTE boots at 20% off because they are all on sale with the code 20SPECIAL. Most boot styles will be around $30 shipped with this sale! You cannot use this code and the boot sock code in the same order, but both will get you free shipping, so check out two separate times and you’ve got an amazing deal!

Plan to Eat

Plan to Eat’s Black Friday Weekend sale starts today and runs through December 2nd. This is my FAVORITE meal planning tool and I know you will love it, too!

This is their annual weekend sale where you can get 50% OFF a yearly subscription to Plan to Eat — even if you already have a subscription! That’s only $19.50 (or $1.60 a month) for a full year of organization, peace of mind, and healthy eating!

If you are already a subscriber and have been thinking about giving gift subscriptions to Plan to Eat, this is the best opportunity to buy unlimited gift subscriptions at only $15.50 each! And no coupon code required!

KraftyKash

Black Friday Special: 50% off Custom Jewelry!

You know how much I love KraftyKash, right?! This is one-of-a-kind jewelry at 50% OFF the regular price! You will find something fabulous for everyone on your list! Shop Black Friday starting at 6am on Friday by visiting the KraftyKash Etsy shop and look for the Black Friday section to find these 50% off deals. {note: sale section will not appear until this time}

Deborah & Co.

There are lots of pieces to this great sale! Here are the highlights:

All orders over $100 receive a free scarf! {while supplies last}
Striped maxi dresses are 30% off
Striped and solid maxi skirts are 20% off
Custom Sewn Women’s and Maternity Ruffle Style Skirts are 10% off.
All Camisoles are 10% off
Fleece Lined Leggings are 15% off {I’ve heard these are awesome!}
A selection of ready made custom skirts for 30% off the retail prices! These are available in maternity, women and girl’s styles and in various sizes and colors.

The Rusted Chain

Another of my FAVORITES for personalized jewelry! Everything at The Rusted Chain is 25% off through midnight tonight {Friday} with the code BF2013! Definitely the biggest sale Beki and gang have ever had and well worth it!

Tiny Prints

30% off sitewide sale + free shipping = a great chance to order Christmas cards and lots of other great personalized products! Check out the details below:

Save 30% off all orders using the code BF13 at checkout. There is no minimum purchase required for this promotion. This offer is not applicable to previously placed orders or toward the purchase of greeting cards, Erin Condren weekly planners, Platinum Design Service, gift cards, gift certificates, calendars or photo books. Offer is only valid on Tiny Prints and is not applicable on treat.com, third party or partner websites.

Enjoy Free Standard Delivery when you use the code FS13 at checkout. Shipping offer applies to non-sample orders shipped to a location within the 48 contiguous United States. Shipping offer applies to Standard Shipping rates only. This offer may be combined with other select offers.

Lisa Leonard

Get a free ‘I love you’ necklace with ANY purchase through Friday! Use code iloveyou at checkout. This gorgeous necklace is hand-cast in fine pewter and strung on 24″ sterling filled chain. And shipping is free on all domestic orders through Friday as well!

Easy Canvas Prints

A beautiful canvas would make a meaningful gift and we love ours from Easy Canvas Prints! Their entire selection is 60% off now through December 2nd! EVERYTHING! I mean, wouldn’t grandparents swoon over a huge canvas of their grandchildren?!

And a few big name retailers I love that are running great Black Friday specials…

Lands’ End – 30% off, free shipping on orders over $50 through December 3rd {discount should be automatically applied, but use code WONDERLAND and Pin 3050 if not}! I used this to order Double J’s monogrammed stocking plus a few other presents!

J. Crew – 30% off your entire order online AND in stores with the code HOLIDAY through December 1st! Their cords are the softest non-pajama pants I own!

American Eagle – 50% off EVERYTHING online and in stores plus free shipping! Use the code 067624T1 to get this deal that expires at the end of today {Friday}!

Whew! You made it to the end! I’ll have more fun sales to share with you when Cyber Monday hits, including fashionABLE! Yippee! Happy shopping!

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Filed Under: deals

It’s a Thirty-One Gifts Party!

November 27, 2013 By Erin 1 Comment

Ooh! I’ve been wanting to host a Thirty-One Gifts party on here for so long and things just never lined up right…until now! And with gift-giving season in full swing, now is the PERFECT time for you to snag some great deals on these wonderful bags and more for your loved ones – or yourself!

I’ve seen Thirty-One products everywhere, but I just had my first hands-on experience with a bag of my own last week and I was instantly smitten! The Vary You backpack purse was my bag of choice and it was exactly what I was looking for!

I’ve been carrying a crossbody bag along with our diaper bag backpack, but my little crossbody bag just wasn’t holding all I needed it to. In fact, my wallet barely fit in it. But the Vary You backpack purse is another story!

Without being too big and bulky, I can carry my wallet, plus my iPad mini and a planner! It would also be perfect to slip a diaper and wipes in if needed for a trip to the zoo. Right now, I’m carrying it as a crossbody bag, but I know I will use it more as a backpack for trips to the zoo or park or anything fun like that!

{Only after we were done taking pictures did I realize my strap was all twisted! Whoops!}

I love the size and versatility of this bag, along with the gray color I can wear with any outfit and the durability. It really is an all-in-one bag, perfect for a mom like me!

You know Thirty-One has TONS of other great bags and gifts. And if you don’t, you NEED to head over to our party page now to take a look around. And there is a great special deal that just started today!

For every $35 you spend for this party, you can pick one of the five styles pictured above for just $5! Each item retails from $18 to $28, so this is a great deal!

I’m extra excited to be hosting this party because I’m working with a friend I met through MOPS several years ago who is now a consultant with Thirty-One! Actually, Kendra has made her way all the way up to Executive Director! I love her story…

Just over 3 years ago I was invited to a Thirty-One catalog party via Facebook. I had never heard of it, so I was anxious to see it in person! My husband and I decided that the best deal in the book…the enrollment kit…was the smartest purchase! Not intending for it to be a full time job, that $99 investment grew into more then either of us would have ever imagined!

I get emotional when I think of all the blessings Thirty-One has brought to me and my family. A schedule that works around our schedule; friendships from the numerous customers, hostesses, team members, Thirty-One consultants and home office staff; self confidence in who I am and God’s plan for me; and finally an income I never knew direct sales could provide. All that aside, it is the most fun I have ever had “at work!” ~Kendra Schmit

Kendra has a Facebook group you can join to keep up on all the great specials Thirty-One has to offer!

So let’s get this party started! We’ll be partying now through Friday, December 6th, so get your orders in now! And please email me at homewiththeboys at gmail dot com if you have any questions!

What are your favorite Thirty-One products?

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Filed Under: deals, gifts

Getting Ready with All Things Christmas!

November 26, 2013 By Erin Leave a Comment

I have included affiliate links below. When you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting this site and our sponsorship of our Compassion child, Samson!

I know, I know, we’re not officially past Thanksgiving yet, but the countdown to Christmas is getting so close, so I wanted to point you towards a few of our favorite Christmas items so you can get them now!

1. Truth in the Tinsel

This will be our third year going through Amanda White’s Truth in the Tinsel for Advent. It is such a simple, but powerful way to get children excited about the birth of Jesus. We’ve done the ornaments crafts included in the ebook which are SO cute. We’ve done the printable ornaments that are perfect for when you are short on time. And we’ve also done the Lego version suggested by Stef Layton which really captured the older boys’ attention! It really can be adaptable for lots of ages! When you use the code theboys at checkout, you can get 20% off your ebook purchase! {only good for a discount on the ebook, not ornaments or curriculum}

2. Winter Brick Activities

Speaking of Stef Layton and Legos, the biggest hit at our house these days has been the brick activities ebooks put together by Stef and her oldest son! We loved Fall Brick Activities, and now Winter Brick Activities is available for a whole lot of indoor fun! And, in the spirit of giving, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Samaritan’s Purse Clean Water Programs! The Fall Brick Activities ebook is only 99¢ right now, and when you use the code BeMerry at checkout, you can get $1 off Winter Brick Activities, making it only $3.99! That’s two brick activity ebooks for only $4.98!

3. 25 Songs of Christmas free printables

I LOVE Christmas music, so a few years ago I started teaching the boys a new Christmas song every day for the 25 days of December leading up to Christmas. It was so fun, so I thought I would share it with all of you with a free printables! I posted these last year, but this is just your friendly reminder to print them out now so you’re ready for December 1st! I made three different versions: sacred songs only, secular songs only, and a mixture of sacred + secular! I hope your family enjoys them as much as we do! {click on the links above to download the one or two or three you want to save and print}

We’ll be directing our home for Christmas Thursday afternoon and Friday as per family tradition and I. CAN’T. WAIT. It really is a magical {but short} time of year!

How are you getting ready for Christmas?

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Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, winter

Custom State Necklaces for $11.95!

Which state{s} will you be ordering?!

O Holy Night Free Chalkboard Printables!

What is your favorite Christmas song?

10 {More} Favorite Christmas Albums!

Your turn! Favorite Christmas albums? New or classic?

What I Wore: Layla’s Shop

The Family That Runs Together…

Did you do a race or fun run this past long weekend? What are your favorite holiday races?

#FairTradeTuesday: Trades of Hope

Where are you shopping fair trade today?

Blue Nile Branch Necklace Giveaway!

Black Friday Deals!

Black Friday 2013, here we go!

Cents of Style

Plan to Eat

KraftyKash

Deborah & Co.

The Rusted Chain

Tiny Prints

Lisa Leonard

Easy Canvas Prints

It’s a Thirty-One Gifts Party!

What are your favorite Thirty-One products?

Getting Ready with All Things Christmas!

1. Truth in the Tinsel

2. Winter Brick Activities

3. 25 Songs of Christmas free printables

How are you getting ready for Christmas?

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