Handwritten Thank-You Notes: Why They're Important and a Few Tips To Make Them More Meaningful

It's me, again, the obnoxious-curly-haired-newlywed. What have I been up to lately, you ask? Writing thank-you notes of course! And, boy, it's been daunting at times.

Feature Friday: McKenzie from Girl Loves Glam

So here on Fry Sauce and Grits were going to do something a little different each Friday.  We want to share with you some of our favorite bloggers in the blog universe.  We started Fry Sauce and Grits over a year ago and we've have met hundreds of bloggers by attending blog conferences, events, and workshops.  There's some truly creative and inspiring men and women out there and we wanted to share with you some of our favorites each week and who were swooning over.  So welcome to the first Feature Friday! 

I knew exactly who I wanted to feature this first week.  Her name is McKenzie and she's from the uber chic blog called Girl Loves Glam.  I remember the first moment I met her at the 2013 Build Your Blog Conference.  This was my first conference I've ever attended, we hadn't even started Fry Sauce and Grits yet.  I helped organize and plan it with the girls from Six Sisters' Stuff.  

When I met McKenzie, it reminded me a lot like the first time Ann Shirley met Diana Barry in Anne of Green Gables.  They became instant bosom and kindred spirit friends.  I felt this same way with McKenzie.  We had a lot in common and were going through the same circumstances in life: had a baby girl, our husbands were going back to school, we both loved fashion, style, and we just clicked.

I really look up to McKenzie because she's the definition of a hustler.  No, not the dirty kind, but the kind where she's always doing awesome and amazing stuff on her blog and she's a busy gal!  Not only is she a successful blogger and does that full time, she's a wife, mother, and is a hairstylist.  She's always pushing the envelope and trying and doing new things.  I always ask her for her advice and she is a Wikipedia, I swear.  McKenzie is one of the sweetest and most kind people I know.  She's so down to earth, funny, and she's from a small town in Idaho which why I love her even more.  Make sure to check her out, she's definitely worthy of following.  

Hey! I am McKenzie and I am the blogger behind the lifestyle and beauty blog, Girl Loves Glam! Although my life isn't always the most glamorous as a wife and mother, I like to look for the little glamorous things that happen to make each day special. My blog is a place where I can celebrate life, share beauty tips and crazy DIY projects, and to connect with women about my adventures in motherhood. I have to pinch myself to realize that I get to do what I love each day. I love being a mom, I am a total computer nerd, and I love creating pretty things! 

Right now, I am working on getting my house ready to sell! I have some great projects coming up about some house updates that I am working on. I am also working on some really great beauty tutorial videos coming your way as part of my YouTube Mondays. They are going to rock your socks off! 

Check out some of my favorite posts:

All Natural Skin Exfoliant 

How to Cut Your Own Split Ends

Living Room Makeover

Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Pinterest!

Be.You.Tiful Link Party #28

Hey everyone, it's that time again, it's party time! Thanks for stopping by to link up your AWESOMENESS!! We're excited to see what you've been up to!

Maybe I Will | Chic California | The Happy Gal | Fry Sauce & Grits

We want to see what inspires you! We have come together to bring you a link party that is all about sharing those inspirational posts that we each search for daily! We, as lifestyle bloggers want to bring those posts together! We are the lost bloggers...the octagons trying to fit in a square hole! There are so many amazing link parties out there for the crafters and the chefs...but where do we belong?

Right here at the Be. You. Tiful Link PartyWe want to be inspired by your beautifully designed home, your incredible organizational talents, your amazing weight loss journey, or even your beautifully styled outfits and makeup tutorials! Maybe you've experienced hard things and are willing to share what helped you through.

Link up your inspirational posts below and your links will automatically be added to all four blogs, and you'll have a chance each week of being featured on ALL 4!

It's as easy as that! We can't wait to see what you've done this week!

Here's What Your Lovely Hosts Have Been Up To This Week

Maybe I Will | Cute Birthday Gift With Printable

Chic California| Vintage Spray Bottles - Get Obsessed

The Happy Gal | Summer Towel Workout

Fry Sauce and Grits | DIY Washi Tape Cactus Gift

This Week's Features

Maybe I Will's Favorite

Life, KV Style | How I Lost 25lbs the Healthy Way

I love hearing about people's journey to health!! It's so inspiring!

Chic California's Favorite

Her Tool Belt | Rustic Ampersand

The Happy Gal's Favorite

Simply Suzanne's at Home | Chile Lime Corn

Fry Sauce & Grits Favorite

BrePurposed- Gold Tile Bar Cart

If you were featured grab a button and brag a little!!

<a href="http://www.frysauceandgrits.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="[URL=http://s921.photobucket.com/user/courtneykillpack/media/LinkPartyButton_zps43c97246.jpg.html"

Before We Get Started on This Week's Party here are the rules!

Party Rules

Subscribe to your 4 fabulous hosts on their blog and/or follow us on social media. This week we would love for you to follow us on Twitter !

Maybe I Will | Chic California | The Happy Gal | Fry Sauce & Grits

-Link back to the Be.YOU.tiful link party with a text link.

-Promote Blog Posts Only! Don't add links to promote giveaways, Etsy shops or other link parties.

-Be Social! Visit and comment on at least 3 other links in the party, share, pin etc! It spreads good karma. Don't forget to subscribe to your party host's pages too.

-Link ideas you have not linked here before.

-By linking up, you're giving permission to us to feature your projects and recipes on our social media and blogs with a link back to you. Proper credit & links will always be given.-This party starts Thursday morning @ 1a.m. MST & ends Sunday @ midnight.

An InLinkz Link-up

DIY Washi Tape Cactus Pot Gift and 101+ Birthday Gift Ideas!

Today is an exciting day.  I'm partnering up with 101+ talented bloggers for Kristen Duke from Capturing Joy Birthday Celebration Week to bring you 101+ inexpensive birthday gift ideas for your friends!  All week long, Kristen is sharing birthday tips and giveaways so be sure to check out her Party. Since I love plants, I'm sharing an easy way to spruce one up for a birthday gift idea!

Washi tape is so versatile, you can use it on so many things.  I got this pack of washi tape as a gift (how funny is that?) and thought it would fun to give this plastic terracotta pot that was holding the cactus a little makeover.

This was so easy and took me five minutes! All I did was cut strips of tape and applied it to the top and down the pot until the bottom.  Do this until the entire pot is covered.   

I'm not a way crafty person and I don't make printables, because I'm lame like that.  I had a card making kit from Stampin Up from their My Paper Pumpkin and cut out a square, added some stickers and punched a hole and tied some yarn to attach the gift tag to the pot.  And ta da, you're done!

 

{Blog Hop Birthday designs by C {dot} love}

Are you ready for some inspiration? Join in on the BLOG HOP! Click on each of links below each collage to see the gift idea and printable closer, along with instructions on how to make them, like mine above. I like to open a bunch of new tabs, and Pin my favorites for later. Don't forget to follow the Birthday Gift Ideas Pinterest Board as well, to save future great ideas. 

  

1. Birthday Balloon Gift + matching free Print by Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke 
2. Stamped Cocktail Napkin + Printable by Delineate Your Dwelling 
3. Buckets of Fun gift idea+Free Printable by Craftiness is Not Optional 
4. 7 Candy Bar Love Notes to say "Happy Birthday" by The Dating Divas 
5. Have a Flippin' Awesome Birthday by Dessert Now Dinner Later 
6. Fishtail Loom Bracelet by I Should Be Mopping the Floor 
7. Lemonade Lip Balm by Pretty Handy Girl 
8. Hair Tie Birthday Gift & Printable Tag by Wait Til Your Father Gets Home 
9. Gift of Sunshine Idea + Free Printable by Sweet Charli 
10. I hope your birthday is a whole "lotto" fun by C.R.A.F.T. 
11. Chicken Spice Rub w/ Printable Tags by Over the Big Moon 
12. Birthday in a Bag Gift Idea by Seven Thirty Three 
13. Quick Note for your Birthday Printable by Liz on Call 
14. Otter Pop Gift with Printable Gift Tag by Somewhat Simple 
15. {you} Series Magnets Printable by Ruffles and Rain Boots 
16. Tea Cup Succulent by Your Homebased Mom 
17. Pretty Pincushion + Printable by Let's Eat Grandpa 
18. Lemon Bath Salts and Free Printable by See Vanessa Craft 
19. Diet Coke Birthday Kit by Pink Peppermint Prints 
20. Chocolate Filled Insulated Tumbler Gift by The Girl Who Ate Everything

   

21. Easy Funfetti Cake Balls with Printable by Salt and Pepper Moms 
22. Hands Down Best Friend Around by Eighteen25 
23. Berry Happy Birthday Printable by Stuffed Suitcase 
24. Whisk Birthday Gift with Free Printable by Cupcake Diaries 
25. Paper Plate Gift Idea by Crafting in the Rain 
26. Popcorn Gift Printable by Breezy Bakes 
27. Life Saver: Birthday Gift in a Jar by Here Comes the Sun 
28. Decoupage Wooden Pendant by Twin Dragonfly Designs 
29. Have a coffee on me: Funky Coasters by Funky Junk Interiors 
30. Swanky Black & Gold Cosmetic Bag by A Prudent Life 
31. DIY cocktail napkins by kojodesigns 
32. Nail Polish Gift by Southern Hospitality 
33. Banana Cake by Whats Cooking with Ruthie 
34. Paparazzi - the PERFECT friend gift by Sugar Bee Crafts
35. "latte" fun birthday gift by Our Thrifty Ideas 
36. Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes + Printable by Tastes Better from Scratch 
37. Pearls are Always Appropriate by Mommy Envy 
38. Girls Just Want to Have Fun Birthday Gift by A Little Tipsy 
39. Manicure Kit Birthday Gift with Printable by Blooming Homestead 
40. Orange you Glad Cup by Artsy Fartsy Mama

   

41. Donut Gift Tag by Pretty Providence 
42. Rainbow Inspired Birthday Gift + Printable by Thirty Handmade Days 
43. Drink Topper and Tag by LandeeLu 
44. DIY Bath Salts using Essential Oils by Unskinny Boppy 
45. Friends are Like Chocolate Chips by Delightful Deets 
46. Paint Can Succulent Planters by East Coast Creative 
47. A Bundt Cake Gift & Printable by Dukes and Duchesses 
48. Jam Birthday Gift & Printable by Happiness is Homemade 
49. Jazzed up Frames by House for Five 
50. Favorite Things Gift Ideas by inkhappi 
51. Toe-tally Cool Nail Polish Gift Idea + Free Printable by Simply Designing with Ashley 
52. Quote Book by Reasons to Skip the Housework 
53. Iron On T-Shirt Gift by Becoming Martha 
54. DIY Humorous Girlfriend Gift by Brassy Apple 
55. Tea-riffic Birthday Gift Idea & Printable by Mom Endeavors 
56. Turn Today Into A Celebration by Dolen Diaries 
57. You're A Lifesaver Printable by Live Laugh Rowe 
58. Happy Birthday Jar {free printable} by Kiki and Company 
59. Mason Jar Flower Vase + Printable by R & R Workshop 
60. Easy $5 Wooden Charm Bracelet by Craftily Ever After

   

61. Polka Dot Mason Jar Vase by The Cards We Drew 

62. Free Printable Mini Notes by Confetti Sunshine 

63. Bath Bomb Easy Birthday Gifts by Tried and True 

64. Ball Jar Printable Tags by The Country Chic Cottage 

65. Eat More Cake Birthday Gift Idea and Printable by Play. Party. Pin. 

66. Have a "berry" happy birthday by The Contractor Chronicles 

67. Merci Chocolates + Hey Birthday Girl french girl printable by Handmade in the Heartland 68. Five Minute Leather Necklace Tutorial + Birthday printables by Delia Creates 

69. Ah-Mason Birthday Gift Idea by Lolly Jane 

70. Simple Dangle Earring Tutorial by Bombshell Bling 

71. Symphony Bar Brownies by Among the Young 

72. Wishing you an E "straw" diary Birthday by Ginger Snap Crafts 

73. DIY Washi Tape Cacti by Fry Sauce and Grits 

74. State Pride Cheese Board by Addicted to DIY 

75. Reusable Monogrammed Solo Cup by Mom 4 Real 

76. go-to gift…EARRINGS! by A Girl and A Glue Gun 

77. Embroidered Mixed Media Bookmarkers by The Creative Goddess 

78. Beyond Measure Birthday Printable by Like Mother Like Daughter 

79. Birthday Facial Kit Gift by The Benson Street 

80. DIY Jewelry Bookmark by Design Dazzle

   

81. Birthday in a Jar - Birthday Printable Tags by A Pumpkin and a Princess 

82. Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Party Cookies by Crazy Little Projects 

83. You are the Bee's Knees by Love the Day 

84. Birthday Candy Jar by Inside BruCrew Life 

85. "Hip Hip Hooray, today is your birthday!" printables by The Crafted Sparrow 

86. Treat Yo Self Printable by Girl Loves Glam 

87. Chocolate Facial with printable by TidyMom 

88. Happy Birthday Sweets by A Night Owl 

89. Quick & Easy Hydrangea Cake by Sweet C's Designs 

90. Sweets for the Sweet by Simply Kierste 

91. Citrus Whipped Honey Butter Jars by Sand and Sisal 

92. Diet Coke Gift for a Friend with Printable by Sweet Treats and More 

93. A Latte for Two + printables by One Krieger Chick 

94. Cookie Monster Birthday Gift Tag by I'm Topsy Turvy 

95. Root Beer Float Cake in a Jar by Giggles Galore 

96. Treat Yo'Self Printable Watercoloring Box by Persia Lou 

97. Fruity Body Scrub with Printable by Mad in Crafts 

98. Magnetic Necklace Charm by Sowdering About 

99. Happy Bee Day with Printable by Just Another Day in Paradise 

100. Manicure in a Jar by That's What {Che} Said... 

101. UBER lucky to have you in my Life by Maybe I Will 

102. Free Happy Birthday Printable by NoBiggie 

103. DIY Wine Bag & Charms Gift by Sypsie Designs 

104. Crispy Crunch-y Pie with Printable by Just Rhonda 

105. "You're the Silver Lining" Friendship Nail Polish Gift by The Happy Housie 

106. Tie One On for Your Birthday (Hair Tie Gift Free Printable) by illistyle

Did you have a gift idea that stuck out to you? Go ahead and visit your favorites and let them know you love it!

Follow the Pinterest Gift Board now!

Follow Capturing Joy with Kristen's board Birthday Gift Ideas on Pinterest.

3 Reasons Why You Should Never Buy A White Bra Ever Again!

Several weeks ago I had the great pleasure of going bra shopping with Megan from Brassy Apple.  Let's just say we had a great time.  I fitted her and like 90% of women out there, she was wearing the wrong bra size.  After measuring her she went from a 36A to a 32C!  What the what?!  Not only did Megan go down two band sizes and went up cup two cup sizes!  The power of being properly fitted.  One of the things I remembered she was blown away by was the conversation we had over bra colors.

Like most women, Megan was wearing a white bra when she came in.  Once we started on trying on bras that fit her, she noticed that the ones I was having her try on weren't white.  Thanks to Megan and letting me fit her, I was inspired to talk to you all about why you should never buy a white bra ever again.

Be.You.Tiful Link Party #27

Hey everyone, it's that time again, it's party time! Thanks for stopping by to link up your AWESOMENESS!! We're excited to see what you've been up to!

Maybe I Will | Chic California | The Happy Gal | Fry Sauce & Grits

We want to see what inspires you! We have come together to bring you a link party that is all about sharing those inspirational posts that we each search for daily! We, as lifestyle bloggers want to bring those posts together! We are the lost bloggers...the octagons trying to fit in a square hole! There are so many amazing link parties out there for the crafters and the chefs...but where do we belong? Right here at the Be. You. Tiful Link Party

We want to be inspired by your beautifully designed home, your incredible organizational talents, your amazing weight loss journey, or even your beautifully styled outfits and makeup tutorials! Maybe you've experienced hard things and are willing to share what helped you through.

Link up your inspirational posts below and your links will automatically be added to all four blogs, and you'll have a chance each week of being featured on ALL 4!

It's as easy as that! We can't wait to see what you've done this week!

Here's What Your Lovely Hosts Have Been Up To This Week

Shakeology Energy Snack Bites | Maybe I Will

Duct Tape 4th of July Banner | Chic California

5 Ways to be Happy Wearing a Swimsuit | The Happy Gal

8 Reasons Why You Should Become an Urban Beekeeper | Fry Sauce & Grits

This Week's Features

Maybe I Will's Favorite

Relaxing Detox Bath | Feel Great in 8

After a long day this sounds amazing!!! 

Chic California's Favorite

DIY Radio Bar | Bliss Ranch

I love to upcycle furniture and I can’t tell you how many times I have passed up an old radio because I didn’t know what to do with it. I will never pass up a vintage radio again after seeing this tutorial.

The Happy Gal's Favorite

Baked Yellow Squash Rounds | Simply Suzannes

My mouth started watering the moment I saw these. I love that I am getting the nutrition from such a great food..and add in all of that flavor? Must. Make. This. Food!

Fry Sauce & Grit's Favorite

4th of July Pies | Polka Dot Poplars

I'm going to a large family BBQ on the 4th and can't wait to make these!

If you were featured grab a button and brag a little!!

<a href="http://www.frysauceandgrits.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="[URL=http://s921.photobucket.com/user/courtneykillpack/media/LinkPartyButton_zps43c97246.jpg.html"

Before We Get Started on This Week's Party here are the rules!

Party Rules

Subscribe to your 4 fabulous hosts on their blog and/or follow us on social media. This week we would love for you to follow us on Pinterest!

Maybe I Will | Chic California | The Happy Gal | Fry Sauce & Grits

-Link back to the Be.YOU.tiful link party with a text link.

-Promote Blog Posts Only! Don't add links to promote giveaways, Etsy shops or other link parties.

-Be Social! Visit and comment on at least 3 other links in the party, share, pin etc! It spreads good karma. Don't forget to subscribe to your party host's pages too.

-Link ideas you have not linked here before.

-By linking up, you're giving permission to us to feature your projects and recipes on our social media and blogs with a link back to you. Proper credit & links will always be given.-This party starts Thursday morning @ 1a.m. MST & ends Sunday @ midnight.

An InLinkz Link-up

8 Reasons Why You Should Become An Urban Beekeeper

Mid spring this year McKay added a lot of tiny new members to our family.  It's funny, I got a lot of people messaging me if I was pregnant.  I had to disappoint a lot of people that no a baby wasn't on it's way but 5,000 bees were joining our family.