A Look Inside the Library

How in the world is it Friday already? This week's blog schedule got rearranged a little, so I thought it would be fun to switch things up today. By popular request, I'm giving you a sneak peek at all of the pretty printables that are currently filling up the Elle & Company Library! Here's a look at the files that are in our collection and how you can use them in your day-to-day:

ART PRINTS

These are some of my favorite items in the Library. Mix and match these prints to create a gallery wall in your own home or print a couple off as gifts for friends and family!

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GREETING CARDS

I'll admit, I'm not the best at keeping up with birthdays, anniversaries, and important events. It's nice to have access to the Library when I'm in need of a last-minute thank you note or birthday card!

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GIFT TAGS

Gift packaging can get really expensive nowadays, so I recently bought several kraft paper bags with handles and I've been dressing them up with these cute gift tags and colorful tissue paper. Simple, easy, and much more cost-effective! And again, perfect for those last-minute gifts.

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NOTECARDS

Something as small as a notecard has the potential to make someone's day. I love these little "happy notes", to-do lists, and patterned notecards. I print several at a time, trim them, and keep them in a stack on my desk so they're always at the ready. 

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HOUSEHOLD

These printables are designed to make your week a little brighter and more organized. A chore chart for the littles, a week-at-a-glance chart for you, and lunchbox notes for the entire family.

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GIFT VOUCHERS

These have been lifesavers for last-minute, inexpensive gift ideas. Print off a voucher, slip it into a greeting card, and you're good to go!

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DAYBOOK INSERTS

I talked all about why I love these calendars, lists, and planners in last week's blog post. They're simple, organized, and oh-so helpful! 

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RESUME TEMPLATES

First impressions are crucial, especially when you're applying for a job. I've got you covered in the design department when it comes to your resume. Simply download the file from the Library, open it in Microsoft Word, enter all of your credentials, and print. So easy! 

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SCRIPTURE CARDS

Each week I've been adding a Scripture card to go along with the Weekly Truth series on the blog. I often stick these cards on the fridge, my computer monitor, in my planner, or even on my bathroom mirror. They're helpful little reminders of Truth throughout my day.

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RECIPE CARDS

These are really fun to give as bridal shower gifts. I've also been writing down all of my favorite recipes on these cards lately and adding them to the family recipes my mom passed down to me. It's helpful to access recipes online, but there's nothing quite like a handwritten, food-stained recipe card.

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INVITATIONS

Invitations can get expensive and you really have to be thinking ahead to have them shipped to you in time to send out to guests. Save time and money with these printable invitations for bridal showers, birthday parties, and baby showers!

You can access all of these pretty paper goods as many times as your heart desires for only... wait for it... $6.99 a month! We've also added 2 more payment options to the Library this week: 3-month access for $18.99 and 6-month access for $35.00. 

I add to the Library on a weekly basis, so our printable collection is always growing. As a matter of fact, a new monogram art print is coming to the blog tomorrow! I also have some great printables planned for the upcoming holiday season, so if festive decorations and inexpensive, thoughtful gift-giving interest you, you won't want to miss what I have in store!

And as always, I love getting feedback from you about the Library. What items would you like to see in the collection? Which items are your favorite? Leave me a comment, send me an email, or show me how you use your subscription by using the hashtag #elleandcompanylibrary on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Happy Friday!

Home Suite Home - The Living Room

Last week I shared the story of the Suite, a cozy little mother-in-law apartment that we've been blessed with for the 3 years that Jake is in seminary. While our living arrangement is perfect for the season we're in, I need a little help putting our own design touch on the Suite to make it feel like home. And that's where this fun new series comes in! My dear friend Michaela, from Michaela Noelle Designs, is working her magic on our space over the next few weeks by bringing in some style and functionality. We're sharing the design process with you each week so that you can join in and hopefully be inspired to make the most out of your current space, too!

Today we're taking a look at our living room. 

And "living room" could not be a more appropriate term, because we spend a large majority of time in this small area of the Suite. Since the iMac serves as my computer and our TV, it sits on our coffee table, which means our hang out space is also my office. Now that I'm working from home full-time, I'm learning that it's crucial for me to have a designated workspace separate from where we hang out and relax. 

Most nights the living room also functions as our dining room. Although we have a small table with two chairs, it's normally cluttered with projects, books, and mail, so sadly we eat meals in front of the TV. Jake and I would love to make more use out of a little eating nook and let the living room function as a space solely for us to unwind and hang out.

In terms of design, I would love to add some color. The living room is looking a little brown at the moment, and I'm usually drawn to white space and pops of color. Some fun patterns would also be a great addition.

Thankfully, Michaela has a gorgeous plan for this space! She's sharing two ideas for our living room today and we're asking you to help us choose which one you like best. So click over to her blog and give us your feedback! And if you're excited to keep up with this transformation, be sure to follow along with us:

Michaela Noelle Designs

Bloglovin'   |   Pinterest   |   Instagram

Elle & Company

Bloglovin'   |   Pinterest   |   Instagram

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How have you managed to juggle the functions over your small space? And maybe more importantly, does your husband insist on having a pull-up bar in your living room? ;)

Today's Top 3 - Fall Items, Recipes, and TV Series

I'm sharing some more favorites with you in another "episode" of Today's Top 3. It's the first day of October and I have autumn on my mind, so today I'm dishing about my favorite fall items, the recipes I turn to on busy weeknights, and the TV series that I can (and do) watch over and over again. 

Top 3 fall items

• "Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice" art print - I know I'm a little biased about this one, but I can't help but share it again. I have this print hanging above the stove in our kitchen and it makes me happy each time I see it. My goal this week is to spread the pumpkin cheer by printing a few copies and mailing them to friends. Who doesn't love fall-inspired happy mail?
• Apple Cider Yankee Candle - Our Suite may not look very fall-ish, but it sure does smell like fall! As the weather starts getting cooler, I love coming into a warm house that smells like spice. We've been lighting this candle a lot lately!
• Homemade apple butter - Making homemade apple butter in the crockpot is one of my very favorite things to do in the fall. Not only is it delicious to spread on biscuits and english muffins (and scones, and peanut butter sandwiches, and toast...) but it's a fun little gift for friends and it makes our home smell wonderful. 

Top 3 go-to recipes

• Chicken Tamale Casserole - I'm all about quick and easy meals and Jake is all about meals that he can dump red pepper on, so this is a tasty win-win for the both of us. Cornbread mix, chiles, creamed corn, cheese, chicken, tamale sauce - scrumdiddlyumptious. Throw together a salad while it's baking and voila! Dinner's served. 
• Salmon, Feta, & Couscous - This technically isn't a recipe, but it's so simple that it doesn't need writing down. I pan-fry salmon on the stove with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper. Meanwhile I cook the couscous (I like Near East's Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil) and dish a happy portion on our plates. I sprinkle feta cheese on the couscous and then place the salmon on top of everything. Easy, right? And it only takes 10 minutes! Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or green beans are great sides to serve with it. 
• Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats - I would choose these over lasagna any day! Zucchini stuffed with sausage, topped with marinara and cheese - it's delicious. And Jake loves it too because, again, he can dump red pepper flakes all over it. I usually make bread to go with it and sprinkle on a little more cheese for good measure. 

Top 3 TV series

• Suits - All-time favorite, hands down. This was the first TV series that Jake and I watched after we got married and over the past 2 years we still haven't found one that measures up. A show about a law firm in New York City may not sound so appealing, but throw in Lewis, Donna, and Harvey and you're in for a treat. The characters make the show. 
• The Office - This is a classic in the Hooker household. Something about Michael, Dwight, and Jim never gets old. There isn't a week that goes by where Jake and I haven't quoted at least 5 lines from The Office. "I'm not superstitious... I'm just a little stitious." I'm smiling just thinking about it. 
• Fixer Upper - Home transformations, Joanna Gaines' design, and Chip Gaines' humor. Really, what's not to love? 

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Your turn! What are your top 3 fall items, go-to recipes, and TV series? 

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Other posts in this series

Weekly Truth - Beatitudes Week 3

We're on week 3 of the Beatitudes series, a little study within the normal Weekly Truth routine where we're digging deeper into the Word to discover what these 8 verses mean for our day-to-day lives. In case you missed them, you can view the first two weeks here and here. 

The Beatitudes, Week 3

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5

As we go through the Beatitudes, it's important to note that Jesus isn't instructing us to pursue these qualities for our own sake. The purpose and passion of Jesus was to glorify the Father, and that should be our passion as we follow him. So what is meekness and how does it glorify God? Let's look at other references to meekness in Scripture to find out.

"But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace." Psalm 37:11

If we look ahead in Psalm 37 to verse 9, we also see that "those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land," so it's safe to conclude that the meek are those who wait for the Lord. We see a picture of what this looks like in verses 5-8:

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries our evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil." 

The meek trust in God, commit their way to him, are quiet before him, and wait for him. They have confidence that the Lord intends good for them, and they wait patiently for the outcome.

"Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." James 1:19-21

James tells us to be slow to speak and quick to listen, to be slow to anger and approach God's Word with meekness. This means that meekness is having a teachable heart that isn't resistant or hostile. It's submitting to God and allowing him to change our hearts to line up with his Word. 

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of meekness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." Galatians 6:1

The meek have a deep awareness that they are fallible. When they approach someone with correction, they admit that they also need God's mercy. This also points back to the verse we just looked at in James, where the meek are quick to listen and slow to anger.

Ultimately, meekness begins with putting our trust in God. As we put our faith in Him, we commit our way to him - our fears, our plans, our relationships - and we wait patiently for his timing, knowing that he will work things out for his glory and our good. We aren't quick to anger because we've relinquished control to God and trust him for vindication from evil. We're slow to speak and reasonable because our hearts are teachable and we know our own faults and fallibility. And we have confidence in knowing that Jesus has already won the battle, making us heirs to a glorious inheritance.

I'm praying that meekness is evident in each one of us this week, not for our own benefit, but for the glory of our faithful Father.

Are you an Elle & Company Library subscriber? This week's Scripture cards were just added to the printable collection. Would you like to subscribe to the Elle & Company Library? Click here to set up your account today!

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Each week I design a new iPhone background with a different verse and share it on the blog. Seeing Scripture several times throughout my day reminds me of truth, strengthens my faith, and helps me me memorize God's Word so I can accurately share it with others. Feel free to download, pin, and share these backgrounds as many times as you would like!

Behind the Scenes of Elle & Company

Last week I was tagged in the "Tour Through Blogland" series that's been going around the blogging community, so I'm switching things up from Elle & Company's normal Monday routine to participate! This series is fun for 2 reasons: It gives me a chance to highlight other creative ladies and it gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what Elle & Company is all about. 

Who nominated me?

Jillian is a designer and entrepreneur who finds joy in celebrating the little details and living creatively. Her blog, Jillianastasia, is a place where she shares DIY projects, recipes, downloads, and everything in between. She also has an Etsy shop filled with lovely prints, notebooks, and paper goods. I especially love this ampersand print. Thanks so much for nominating me, Jillian! 

What am I working on?

Branding projects. And lots of them! I've been blessed to work with a wide range of women - authors, photographers, bloggers - on logos and websites these past few months. And being the terrible secret-keeper that I am, I've been dying to share them! But for now, here's a look at a few inspiration boards:

I'm also working on a new line of art prints for the Library, an October newsletter, an exciting partnership with Michaela Noelle Designs on the design of our Suite, and the launch of the new 2015 Elle & Company planners.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I would like to think that my style and my character set me apart. While I love keeping up with what's trendy and popular in the design world, I always come back to creating things that are colorful, feminine, simple, and illustrative. At the end of the day, I can look through my blog posts, my Instagram feed, and the Library and say that it's totally "me" (and I hope those who know me best would agree).

Why do I write/create what I do?

Design makes me happy. I truly can't remember a time when I didn't love drawing, designing, and organizing. I was the kid who looked forward to going back to school because it meant new art supplies, I could be easily entertained by blank copy paper and a box of crayons, and I loved sitting in the shopping cart and organizing all of the items my mom would toss in (wish I was kidding). It's in my nature. 

But even more than my love of designing pretty things is sharing design with others. I love when a branding client gets excited about their new logo or when a busy mom tells me that the menu planner printable has added structure to her week. It's fun to see God use the gifts he's given me to benefit others!

How does my writing/creating process work?

When I'm writing for the blog, I usually open a Google Doc and outline my post. I list my main ideas and flesh them out with bullet points underneath. This method helps me develop a complete concept and shows me areas that I need to put more thought into before I start writing. It might take a little longer than just jumping in, but it's been beneficial in the long run. 

My design process is a little more complicated. Thankfully I'm starting a new series on this next week, so stay tuned!

Who am I nominating?

I think I'm technically supposed to tag 3 people, but I always have such a hard time choosing! So I'm sharing the love and tagging one more blog friend for good measure.

Jessica Clinch is a talented watercolor artist, designer, and blogger at Simply Jessica Marie. I love seeing her beautiful work pop up on my Instagram feed and I'm always drawn to her pretty, feminine style. Her shop is filled with all kinds of lovely cards and prints, but my favorite pieces are her custom illustrations. 

Bailey Roberts is the lady behind Brave Love, a blog celebrating the stories, seasons, and journeys of life. Bailey has an creative eye for lovely things and a heart for other people, and I've really enjoyed her latest "Blogtember" series. She's also been decorating her new apartment and it's been so fun to keep up with the transformation!

Rachel Cox is the sweet lady behind Oh Simple Thoughts, a blog where she shares her heart and little glimpses of her daily life. Rachel's creativity is seen through her gorgeous writing style, the recipes she shares, and the cute headwarmers she crochets. She's also started baking and selling bread from a passed-down family recipe and it's been a great success. Rachel is a joy to follow along with!

Madison Wetherill is a fellow graphic designer who blogs over at Wetherills Say I Do. She posts recipes, shares blogging tips, and runs some really great giveaways. I love Madison's heart for community, too. She's always using her space to highlight other shops and bloggers and encourage other ladies. 

These ladies will be sharing their Tour Through Blogland posts next Monday, so be sure to follow along. Happy Monday!