Lower Lights

Mindy blogged about it.
Jenny blogged about it.
Stephanie blogged about it.
Mormon Mommies blogged about it.
Mindy Hales blogged about it.

I'm telling you. You will like this album.
The Lower Lights A Hymn Revival
(It's a fitting soundtrack for November.)








You still have time to enter October's Giveaway, go here!


I am Courtney Kendrick and lent my voice to This Little Light of Mine (track 15). I like to let it shine.
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October's Motherlode

 

1. A set of three Indestructibles books--winners choice! The book inspired by babies, for babies with magnificent vivid illustrations!
2. A first year set of onesies (twelve onesies total) in either "boy", "girl", or "neutral";  or, choose any three t-shirts from Lulu & Jack. Who doesn't love onesies? They are my favorite thing.
3. Sarah Sample, an album on constant repeat around here (even listening to it RIGHT NOW). I want you to have this cd--so I am giving away ONE SIGNED CD! (If you don't win this album here, I think you should buy it and pretend I bought it for you. Ok?)
4. Two NewTree Dark Milk 51% Cocoa bars--dark milk chocolate with pure natural vanilla from Belgium. One for you, one to share.
5. One gorgeous print of J. Kirk Richard's Mother and Child and one package of Christmas cards with the same print. I am so excited to have this in the Motherlode I can't stand it. See more about this painting here and here. THANK YOU KIRK!
6. My hero Whitney is throwing in one custom-made vintage baby quilt from her Pretty Swank Etsy shop. Yes, this is worth about $80.00 and she's just giving it away. We love the quilt she made for Ever . . . actually, love is an understatement.
7. I handmade my own Basa Body products when visiting the HQ last week. I have three Citrus Splash Scent Lotions and three Basa Body Sticks ready to give away to the lucky winner. Remember: I made them with love, a lot of love, maybe too much love? No, just the right amount.
8. One Half Tee of your choice. And you can't go wrong because Half Tees are like your best friend. Only better because the don't get jealous of your awesome hair.
9. One yellow striped bow bag from Freshly Picked. I think we picked the last one for this giveaway. I use my own yellow striped bag daily, hourly, minute-ly. I LOVE FRESHLY PICKED!

OK, you want in right?

Rules:

1. Enter by leaving me a comment on this post. One comment per person please. Imaginary friends don't count, unfortunately.
2. In that comment, tell me one thing you've loved about this month, October 2010.
3. You have until Wednesday, November 3, 2010 MIDNIGHT MDT to enter.
4. One winner will be announced on Thursday, November 4th.
5. We'd sure love it if you wanted to help us spread the October Motherlode news to someone who could use a win. Blog? Facebook? Twitter? Old Fashioned Phone? That'd be cool.







I am Courtney Kendrick and ggggggggoooooooddddd luuuuuuuuuuck!

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October Motherlode Giveaway Announced

Tomorrow I will be posting quite possibly the best Motherlode I've ever given away. Please stay tuned. You will want to throw your hat into the ring.

New to this blog? A monthly Motherlode is a giveaway package full of products I blogged about in a particular month. It goes to one lucky winner. It's my favorite thing about this blog and I haven't done it since March. Welcome back Motherlode, we missed you.

I am c jane and I wish I could enter myself.
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Basa Body Lotion Question & HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

I found this question today about Basa Body lotion:

"so, I really want to try the lotion, but I want to make sure I buy the one that smells like coconut. Is it the Unscented or the Citrus Scent? That seems like such a silly question, but I'm just confused. "

Basa has two lotions, one is scented with citrus--the Citrus Splash Scent (which Chup prefers I wear) and the other is the All Natural Virgin Coconut Lotion--made with pure coconut oil (which I prefer). It's technically unscented, but still smells like pure coconut. So, the answer = Unscented for the coconut smell.


I know all this because I actually went to the Basa Body HQ and helped make the products. Yes, I am serious. I went and put on an apron and discovered all their secrets to making really lovely coconut oil products. I thought about the Coast Coconut Farm women as I scooped huge mounds of their hand-pressed oil into the massive mixing bowls.

And I produced about fifty Basa Body Sticks. Is this making you jealous? I will stop.

But wait, I can't stop. I can't stop because I have a major announcement:

AHEM,

(From Basa Body HQ)

Basa Body is sending c jane to Kenya next year.

Want to join her?

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to find out details on how you could win a trip to Kenya with c jane!

Alright. So, who wants to come?

Also from Basa Body:

Looking for an awesome idea for neighborhood gifts or stocking stuffers for co-workers? For the holidays Basa is giving Cjane readers an exclusive opportunity to purchase their luscious peppermint lip butter and coconut oil body stick in quantities at wholesale prices!  Buy 24 sticks or 24 lip butters or a combination of both and get them at half price!  Only for CJane readers!

More from Basa:
The deal above will be up on our website within two weeks. However, if you don't want to wait that long, please email us stating what you would like to order and your phone number and we will call you back to process your order manually! We look forward to hearing from you!
orders@basabody.com

I am c jane and Basa Body and I have teamed up to go to Kenya next year to meet the women of Coast Coconut Farms. I love Basa Body products, I love good causes and I love the women of CCF.
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Indestructibles

In the bag of wonders (aka swag) I received when speaking at the Casual Blogger Conference last May, I was most interested in three Indestructibles books.

These books are for the baby set, they are completely incapable of being destroyed by any tempted/teething child. I tried to rip them, tear them and flush them down the toilet. In fact, I became quite amused getting them to break down into nothing but tiny paper wads. No such luck.

Admittedly, part of me wanted to take the book a part so I could frame some of the pretty pages. They'd look dashing in my orange-carpeted nursery. Dashing, I tell you.

When Ever Jane bloomed into a baby of the Everything Goes In My Mouth variety, I read to her the Flutter! Fly! Indestructible. She was quickly amused by the colors (huge eyes) and wasted no time in snatching away the book from me to attempt putting the entire read in her mouth. It was pretty amazing how heartily it survived. It's not only a book, but a chew toy and an entertaining piece of art.

I am not getting paid for this, by-the-way, I just really like this idea. I think it works.

More indestructible information about Indestrucibles here.


I am c jane and hooray for products like this. 

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Monday

Dear all.

Late start.

Check back?

Loves.

- Chup for Cjane

I am c jane and sometimes these things happen.
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NewTree Chocolate Bar

I like NewTree Dark Milk 51% Cocoa bar--dark milk chocolate with pure natural vanilla from Belgium.

It has all the snap of dark chocolate with the sweetness of milk chocolate. Tastes like dark, feels like milk. Sweet and spice. Texture like Belgium. I'd say best of all worlds.

Bought mine at Target.

I am c jane and I have a funny relationship with dark chocolate. We go to therapy.

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Halftees New Style Celebration

I am nothing if not for my Half Tee. My impressive collection of Half Tees got me through a pregnancy, breastfeeding, a hot summer and a wardrobe full of maxi dresses. I cannot sing their praises enough.

Wearing one right now as I write. Right now, writing.

BUT that's not all. The other day I discovered that Half Tees read my mind and came out with some different sleeve lengths: boyfriend, 3/4 sleeve and a tank.Oh yes, thank you.

I contacted my Half Tee representative (everyone should have one) and she went ahead an okayed a c jane discount in celebration of the new styles. So, ahem, ahem (frog in throat?) here is the deal (the actual deal):

Any Half Tee purchase made online from October 20th to October 27th will get a 10% discount. Enter the code:cjane at check out. GO HERE!


Also, if you are local (like I am) you can go to the kiosk in the University Mall (right by the ole Victoria's Secret) and mention "cjane" to recieve $1 off each Half Tee. That is right, save one hundred pennies on each purchase.

What else? My contact (have one yet?) also told me that you can become a Half Tee friend on facebook and get future discounts. My contact can also see into the future.

So there you are, your work is cut out for you.


I am c jane and the Half Tee I am wearing right now is black, boyfriend sleeve and undeniably comfy.
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for the 'i heard of her first' types

We are clearing out our vast Green Room (named appropriately as it is covered in Astro Turf)for a Sarah Sample private concert on Saturday night. As we worked today we listened to her album over and over again. When we'd get to the last note of the last song, I say, "Over already?" and diligently press the play button again.

The album, Someday, Someday is actually out today and I've been anxious to be able to share it with you. I am always impressed with the musical recommendations of my readership. If you like folksy, artsy, cozy music to accompany your autumn (spring) season, I have found the album for you.

Buy it here.
Read more about Sara here.
Watch this:

I am c jane and Sarah asked me to sing back up on this song on Saturday night. Can you imagine? I can't sleep IAMSOEXCITED.
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. . . that quilt?

I may never get over my romance of quilts. They are comfort and craft. I love their conception and their execution. I love their frayed ends, their worn-down fabric and lasting existence in spite of repeated washings. I love their stories and service. And I love the people who make them.

In this case, my dearest friend Whitney.

She made me this baby quilt when I was just (just) pregnant with Ever Jane. We use this daily to position the girl on her belly with toys as we rotate around the house. Ever never stays on the quilt for long--rolling, always rolling--but she knows it is home base.

This quilt makes our house happy.

I was so glad many of you wanted to know more about the quilt. Whitney is one of those people who I will spend eternity with, asking her questions about life as she sews quilts out of fluffy clouds.

Read a post about her quilts or go to her esty shop Pretty Swank to purchase one. While you are there check out the joy of vintage-ness from jewelry to stationary. Looky lou! Happy things!

Thanks Whitney!



I am c jane and I went to London with Whitney. She inspired me to write. 

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Lulu & Jack Giveaway Winner, Plus Two Posts You Must Read

What I didn't know when I posted our Lulu & Jack Giveaway a couple days ago is that October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. I am so pleased we have already started this month off with the Grogan's story behind Lulu & Jack and their beautiful daughter Lucy. I am hoping we can do more to help honor this month. I know this, every time I hear a story like the Grogan's I believe in families all over again.

Speaking of that giveaway, let's announce a winner shall we?

Julie J. said...

I have ten weeks to go in my 8th pregnancy. I have lost six of those, so we would love to win the year of onsies for the fun pictures and milestones we plan to celebrate with this miracle baby. Oh and my favorite planet is Uranus...HA!

October 7, 2010 7:40 PM

Julie, good luck in these next ten weeks, we will be praying for you. When he/she gets here, your baby will look adorable in the onesies. Keep us posted!

(contact me? cjanemail@gmail .com)

Thanks Jamie, Robert, Jack and Lucy!

Also, in honoring this month's awareness, I have been deeply touched to read two stories by mothers who lost their babies shortly after birth and have chosen to commemorate their experience with blog posts. Because of their brave, honest and personal portrayal in their posts, I have changed. I have grown in compassion and love not only for these mothers, but the babies. These gorgeous babies who needed just a little body for just a short time on earth. There is love, oh so much love.

Thanks my friend Jenny and her son Taylor and Whitney her daughter Emma Jean.

Thanks for changing me.




I am c jane and I believe these mothers will see their babies again after this life.

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. . . that yellow striped bag?

Oh you mean this one? This darling?

I got it from the Freshly Picked display at Provo's Hump Day Market. Sue the brains (and beauty!) behind FP gave it to me when I told her I was out of my market cash (true story!) and I had only just met her. So along with my admiration for her work, I also admired her for being so sweet.

Incidentally, this bag garnered more emails starting with "dear c jane" than we've received in a great while. I think it means the true c jane is coming home from the dark postpartum world where once she was bound. Also, it means Sue makes eye-catching bags. Ok, the latter, I succumb.

Go here for Freshly Picked online shopping.

Go here for Sue's funny design/fashion/DIY/Gold-loving blog.

I am c jane and would've easily paid $25 for this bag. I looooove it.
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Lulu & Jack Giveaway!

I hear the most beautiful stories in my email inbox. Beautiful and heart breaking too. One I that will never leave my memory is the personal story of Jamie who after having her first son Jack became pregnant with her daughter Lucy. Sometime into the pregnancy it was determined that Lucy--if she survived to the end of her gestation--would not live long after birth.

Lucy was born, pink and screaming. Shortly after, Jamie and her husband were able to take her home from the hospital. Because they knew she wouldn't have long on to live, Lucy was held every second and loved. (And that is the point that makes me burst out into emotional sobs. Oh deep breath). Lucy lived five days and passed away.

To honor their daughter, Jamie and her husband decided to create a line of children's onesies to mark the short (very) short passage of babyhood. There is a onesie for each month of the first year. You take a photo of your baby each month in their appropriate onesie--and ta da! baby books are so much easier to put together.

(But let's go back and talk about how fast babyhood happens. Ever took her first official crawling scoots tonight. I am sobbing again. Not really, but inside I am.)

But let's also talk about how Jamie donates a portion of sales to the buyers choice charity. I know what you are thinking, because I am thinking it too, BABY SHOWER GIFT.

There are also monogrammed onesies and custom designed onesies and more.

Check it out at Lulu & Jack.

AND the generosity of Jamie and her family keeps coming. They are offering a giveaway today for readers. Choose from either a first year set of onesies (twelve onesies total) in either "boy", "girl", or "neutral";  or, the winner could choose any three t-shirts off their site. Giveaway starts right now and ends on Friday, October eighth at midnight my time. You can enter in my comments section by answering this question:

How do we counteract horrible effects of aging on babies?

Just kidding.

The real question is: Really, how do we stop babies from growing into bigger humans?

No.Not really.

Answer this: what is your favorite planet?

Or,

just tell me how much you admire Jamie, because I do too.

Don't want to take chances? Jamie is offering a 10% discount code for anyone that doesn't win, but would like to order. Orders would need to be submitted using the coupon code "cjane" at the time of checkout.  They will honor this coupon code for thirty days from the time of posting.

Thanks Jamie and family. Hugs.

I am c jane and I've always loved stories of deep inspiration. And Saturn.

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Basa Body Sends Me to Africa: Part One

I am going to Africa.

I mean, not today. I mean, next August or September I suppose when Kenya isn't so sweltering. I am going to visit my global sisters there. I am going to Africa to meet them.

Perhaps the biggest regret of my life has been my lack of understanding. I do live in a bubble-a rose colored bubble that domes over me and my little family. I wouldn't change it for the world, it's a sweet place where I can raise my children in safety and security, but part of me longs to know other mothers and their spheres of livelihood. I want to know more about the strength of women, and I have been praying for awhile for increasing opportunities to this end.

Enter Troy.

Troy is  married to my cousin Lisa. Along with my uncle Louis and other compassionate do-gooders Troy went to Kenya to help the women of Mombasa become self-reliant and rise out of poverty . They zeroed in on a coconut farm called Coast Coconut Farms and started giving jobs to women who could harvest the coconut oil naturally and by hand. With that they started to create skincare products called Basa Body (Basa, after Mombasa) to sell--all of which would further benefit these women. 

These women.Beautiful women.

Many of them are single moms, slapped with severe poverty, sacrificing for their children. Troy tells me there will be no way for me to prepare to see their living conditions but I will be astounded at their spirits and will to survive. I've seen photos of them and watched videos of their community. And the children, I want to see their children, their faces and their beautiful spirits.

Because I am a proselyting (nutso) believer in coconut oil (for several years I've used it for everything--Earaches? Foot rubs? Deodorant?) and a now daily user of Basa products (I've unabashedly blogged about that before) I've been invited by Troy and the Coast Coconut Farms crew to visit Kenya next year. If all goes well, and if I am not pregnant (a condition I am not opposed to being in the near future) I will go. In the meantime, I want to continue exploring my bubble and how the preparations for this trip are changing the way I view my view. I hope this will raise awareness for the project and products--because I believe in both. 

I am going to Africa. And when I am there I am going to meet these mothers and if they will let me, I am going to dance with them:

*photos  and video of CCF women by Troy Holmberg

I am c jane and I smell like coconut.  

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