Christmas Tree Tour 2016 & Everly Design Necklace Giveaway

It’s our second Christmas in Arkansas. Where does the time go?  This year we’re a scattered bunch so we celebrated on Christmas Eve. I’m all about it. I mean I am Colombian after all. Christmas Eve is what we do (we call it nochebuena)! Last year I was traveling so much I only had time to do one tree. So this time around I overcompensated for all those missed trees as a kid (when mom was in that cult, a story for another time) and we have seven trees. Tiny, little, medium, big…yep seven. C’mon on in and take a look-see. While you’re at it, I’m showing off a necklace from my new sponsor, Everly Design App. Of course, in the spirit of Christmas and thanks to their generosity, I’m giving one away, too…I think you’re going to LOVE them as much as I do.

My intention was to bust out the Canon and get some really good shots, you all. But the truth is time has been so limited! So please make do with these humble pictures and get ready to fall in love with Everly Design!

Holiday Home Tour Stop #1

Doc and I met about six years ago when he was handed over to me in a black grocery tote. He was scared, skinny and immediately ran out of the bag, climbed up my arm and clung on to me for dear life. Years later, the vet thought a diet and exercise would be a good idea (true story). We had our ups and downs with his rescue and have come a long way. He is such a character and I just adore this little bearded dragon. Don’t let his stink eye fool you, he’s a total cuddle bug and he loves his hornworms and new lighting each year. I think he likes his tiny tree, too.

Holiday Home Tour Stop #2

This little tree that now sits in K’s room was one that the hubs and I bought and would put up in the hotel rooms or rented house we’d get when we’d fly from San Diego to Arkansas to spend Christmas with the girls before we moved here. Though it’s small, it’s packed with memories and I don’t see us ever getting rid of it. It used to be just cobalt blue ornaments, but K added her own spin and touch of sparkle to it.

Holiday Home Tour Stop #3

In our game room sits the first tree the hubs and I had together – our Harley Davidson tree. The vintage Harley Davidson topper is such a prized possession. We found it by accident while heading back on the Harley from a weekend in Topanga Canyon (think Malibu’s hippie cousin). The little Harley Village I found for half off (I was super happy about that) is placed on top of the wine bar hubs got me while we were in our little 2/2 downtown highrise in San Diego along with some of our Harley Davidson stemware. Those who know us know riding is a big part of our life. I go down to our game room and I just love to look at each piece, remembering how it came to be ours and it totally makes me smile.

Holiday Home Tour Stop #4

Another keeper from San Diego. Hubs’ favorite color is cobalt blue. We had this on our front lawn in San Diego and now it sits on top of a planter/art shelf in the foyer at the entrance of the house. Everyone seems to just stare at it when they come in. I admit, I do love that blue.

Holiday Home Tour Stop #5

I’m allergic to “real” trees, so this one is in the office/dining room/kitchen area of the house. This what I call our blended family tree. Everything else in the house is very themed, but for this one we started a new tradition this year; meaningful ornaments we collect over time. That star tree topper is the first one we ever got. Whether they’re handmade or a souvenir we find during our travels, just about anything goes on this tree and it’s a reflection of us: you can take a bunch of pieces from different walks of life, blend them together even though they don’t come from the same place and the result is an awesome original. Oh and Kevin there – my sister got him for me because I am just kind of obsessed with the minions. 😉 I look forward to seeing what will be added over the years.

Holiday Home Tour Stop #6

Okay, so this is trees, plural. And I guess I am sort of cheating here, since we have hundreds of trees on our land, BUT… these are all a gift to me. I never in a million years thought I’d live somewhere and have the gift of land to grow pumpkins on, to watch deer come to visit and to sit on a deck swing and enjoy a glass of wine or iced tea with my husband as we joke and laugh about everything under the sun. This place is so peaceful and I truly give thanks for it. I think it was my instinct to fight the quiet, tooth and nail. Now I relish in it.

Holiday Home Tour Stop #7

This is the 12′ tree that sits in our living room. The snowflakes are inspired by a handmade piece of art that K gave us for our first Christmas together. It’s just beautiful and who would ever thought I’d love anything having to do with snow, right? And there’s that cobalt blue again lol! Over the garland on the mantel hangs some mistletoe the hubs got out of a tree for me.

Everly Design App

Underneath the Christmas tree sits a necklace with what may look like a squiggly line on it. Let me tell you about that…

Everly Design App contacted me on Instagram and asked if I’d like to do something together. When I saw that they used an app to create jewelry, I will be honest – I was pretty skeptical and wondered if it really would work. I read on and I was intrigued then I got excited. That squiggly line?

It is my husband’s heartbeat. Yep. My husband’s heartbeat. Okay, so here’s how it works:

Everly Design App Instructions

You download the handy dandy app and find what product you want (just search Everly Design and it will pop up). Then it walks you through, step-by-step.

There are rings, bracelets, necklaces, keychains and pendants…something for everyone.

I chose the silver tango necklace:

Hold the finger of the person’s whose heartbeat you’re recording up to the camera lens:

After a few seconds you’ll see the pulse measurement appear:
When you’ve completed, you can resize, crop and position to your preference:

You can also choose to have an engraving put on the other side. Mine is special between the hubs and me:

When my necklace came in I was also really impressed with the packaging. Who doesn’t love pretty packages? 😀

As a totally sentimental person, it is the opinion of yours truly what Everly Design App is doing is incredibly wonderful and just super cool. Whether you’re recording your spouse’s heartbeat, your child’s or someone else’s; it is such a great reminder of the gift of life. I know Valentine’s Day is around the corner, but seriously…this works for ANY occasion. It’s the perfect present. It is now one of my most favorite pieces.

Enter to win

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas if I didn’t give one away! So enter to win a Silver Tango necklace for yourself or to give to someone you Love. Just follow the instructions on the giveaway form and be sure to leave Everly Design App some love on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This one is open to USA & Canada residents, ages 18 and over. Good luck, everyone and Happy Christmas!