The Gift That Gives Back: Mission Cute

There isn't much better than a gift that gives back, right?! That's why we all love companies like Toms. Now there is a monthly box delivery company that gives 50% of net proceeds to nonprofit organizations. 50%! That's so awesome!

So here's what's up: Mission Cute is the jam. You can sign up for a monthly box and know that your money is also benefiting others, all while supporting local artists and shop owners. (I love buying local/small!) Supporting a cause AND small businesses while getting cute stuff?! PERFECT GIFT...for someone else or for yourself!

Whether this is a last minute Mother's Day idea or a birthday gift for girlfriends throughout the year, count on Mission Cute as "Etsy in a box!" [as my friend Nina said]!

Here is what April's box looked like:

 Hello, darling packaging!

 There is a phamplet that explains the nonprofit to which 50% of this month's profits are headed.

April's nonprofit partner was Girlfriends Giving Circle. Read about the other nonprofits supported thus far here.

 Here are the items from the April box. I brought the necklace on Hope's bachelorette weekend!

This item is my favorite. A candle in a mason jar with a NC tag? Swoon. Not to mention how delicious it smells!

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So what now?! Join Mission Cute by May 10 to receive May's box of goodies! You can purchase one box for $39/box, 3 months of boxes for $34 a box, or 6 months of boxes for $29 a box! It's the perfect one time gift or fun subscription service. Whether your box is for you or for someone else, it feels fabulous to support a company with strong values and a passion to serve others (monetarily and physically).

Cheers to Mission Cute!

Disclosure: I was given one free box in exchange for a post on my blog. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Frankly, my dear...you should pop over here to visit my sweet sponsor, Jenni!

Hope's Bachelorette in Miami

Event planning does not come naturally to me. (Especially in a city I'd never visited until this past weekend!) But I'm pretty proud of the weekend I planned for Hope and her bridesmaids in Miami. Not to toot my own horn, but TOOT TOOT, y'all. ;)

Thursday

Hope and I arrived early and stayed with family. We got to know the city and loaded up on cortaditos.

 I seriously didn't think about my hot pink luggage matching my neon pink dress until the security guard in the airport made a comment. Oopsie! I enjoyed dressing for the occasion as my sissy is pink obsessed.

 I became obsessed with cortaditos this trip as inspired by Khloe, my favorite Kardashian. (Yes, I enjoy KUWTK. Owning it.) Cortaditos are so good. And it wasn't until after we had our first cortadito trip and rewatched the Kardash episode that Hope and I realized that we went to the exact same cafe as Khole and Kim. And then we screamed and laughed non-stop. What are the odds? HA! CORTADITO!! (FYI it's Latin Cafe 2000 on Biscayne Blvd. Pictured above!) 

Friday

View from our hotel pool. I highly reccommend Hotel Victor! Not the typcial $700 a night Miami charge, still in the middle of everything, newly renovated. We had the best customer service experience there too! 

 In typical Elise fashion, I made a brochure for the weekend. It had a hilarious/embarrassing picture of Hope on the front, hotel info, a schedule of events, as well as walkable local spots in case anyone woke up early and wanted to grab this or that. Oh, and there was an enlarged version of our favorite Emoji on the back. If you know us, you know "her" too. :)

 Somehow we landed 2 free upgrades for 2/3 of our rooms. Holy amazing. Ocean views and all!

 Never have I ever met someone who appreciates the pink bubbly more than my sista.

 HEYYY BRIDE! We spent Friday night in with pizza, a lingerie shower, and Spyros (Hope's fiance) even made a pre-recorded appearance via the iPad for a game of 20 questions.

Sista, sista

 

Saturday

 On Saturday we did some filming on the beach... ;) ;) Mwahahaha. 

 Sistatime.

 Hopey got glammed up by her oh-so-talented bff, Jenna.

 All the girlies dolled up for Saturday night.

 Since Hope is marrying Spyros AND they're heading to Greece on their honeymoon, how could I not have chosen a Greek restaurant for the occasion?! Poseidon did not disappoint. They also had tip top customer service!! We were spoiled there!  

All in all, it was a fabulous trip. I can't wait to go back! Luckily it's a place we'll visit again soon since we have family there. Next time Mark and Spyros will have to join us!

Cheers to Miami!

Frankly, my dear...you should pop over here to visit my sweet sponsor, Jenni!

 

Vacay

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Hey there, dolls.

As you read this, I'm in Miami highly anticipating the arrival of 8 of Hope's besties. I'm taking this week off from my usual 5 on Friday fun. I know you understand! :)

BUT...how could I be in Miami and not make sure you have this song in your head right now? You're welcome.

In the meantime, keep up with us on Instagram!! (Me | Hope) Cheers from Mee-aah-mi!

Everybody party all day, no work, all play, okay?

Frankly, my dear...you should pop over here to visit my sweet sponsor, Jenni!

Sistas, Blowouts, and Bridal Showers

I had the best time at my sister's bridal shower in Charlotte yesterday. I'll let her share all of the party details, but I wanted to squeeze in a few iPhone pics before I head to Miami this afternoon! Oh, and Charlotte ladies, I'm about to fill y'all in on a suh-weeeeeet blowout spot...

 Y'all. Gisoo Salon on East Blvd in Charlotte. 

Never noticed it before even though I've driven down that road 19215789 times.

There was a big sign out front advertising $30 blowouts that caught my mama's eye. And so we went!

We had so much fun. And the sweet ladies there even offered to give us complimentary makeovers!

Uh, yes please!!! 

I'm telling you...try this place. I LOVED how my hair (and makeup!) looked and will definitely be going back again.

Love this under-the-radar find! Had to share! :)

 Showering the bride at Mimi and Papaw's house.

...with Mimi's favorite "bridal decor" piece: the swan. 

The swan was at my bridal shower AND rehearsal dinner. Love it. So silly.

We will be passing this new tradition down to every girl cousin in the fam.

 We look more alike with the same hair color, right?!

(We like that. :))

 Hopey and I share a lot of things. Girlfriends included.

P.S. Ensley (far right) is a blogger too!

Sleepover party in sissy's room. Before I hit the road circa 6am. Sigh. 

See you later today, sissy! 

CHEERS to my SISTA BRIDE!

(And a the upcoming weekend full of celebrating her!)

I'm goin' to Miami...

Frankly, my dear...you should pop over here to visit my sweet sponsor, Jenni!

Before the Blog: Bridal Showers

Since I attended my little sissy's bridal shower yesterday, I thought it'd be fun to bring back Before the Blog and take a walk down memory lane! Below are photos from two wonderful bridal showers and some beautiful, strong, hilarious, and fun women I have in my life.

Shower One: Bridal Brunch 

My fabulous kindergarten teachin' teammates. Kindergarten is the best. :)

Family! All of my aunts and girl cousins. #GCRtheFFP

My angel sissy and MOH

Things are always better when Tina gets a gift too.

 

My bffie Lizzie even made it fresh from her honeymoon!

Shower Two: Set the Table
(This is the exact shower I attended yesterday for my sista thanks to our aunts and Mimi!)

Mama and sista. And the asos dress I'm still obsessed with. Little did anyone know it was a cheeky preview to my wedding gown! (No one knew what "the dress" looked like except for my sister, mama, and my aunt and cousin who were with us when I said YES to the dress!)

Cheesin.

It's blurry. But Mims was extremely feisty with the knife and it was scary and hilarious. I want to remember little moments like this and how we all kept laughing about Mimi's knife intensity.

With Ma and her GNO crew. Such a rockin' group of gfs!

Some of my girlies :)

Cheers to the blessing of friendship!

Frankly, my dear...you should pop over here to visit my sweet sponsor, Jenni!

Home. This Week. Grace.

#ourfirsthoustonfamilyhome as seen on IG

This week, y'all. This week!
It's crazy. In all of the happy and fun ways.

Sunday we moved. We're officially IN our first home.

Today I head to Charlotte for my sissy's bridal shower!

Back to Wilmy on Wednesday morning.

Thursday I fly to Miami and stay through the weekend...bachelorette party style.

Holy moly.

So last night I got all my ducks in a row for bloggin' this week. (As seen in the middle right picture!... my new favorite place in our house.) But I'll need some grace on answering emails this week. So thank you in advance for that!

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This quote is ever so popular, but I keep having to remind myself of it this week. Grace over perfection.

Not every email will be answered, not every post will be posted (I have a BUNCH of fun giveaways up my sleeve y'all...JUST WAIT. It's almost birthday month.), not every box will be unpacked, not every phone call will be returned, oh...and not every little lingering item will be moved from our rental (eeek).

Again: Grace. Not perfection.

God holds us to that standard everyday. So we might as well too. "For it is by GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH." Let's all work on living that out.

Now I'm off to the Queen City! My posts for this week are scheduled, so keep up with all of the latest happenings on Insta. :)

Thankful for grace. And thanking y'all for grace. Cheers. :)

Frankly, my dear...you should pop over here to visit my sweet sponsor, Jenni!