Favorite Free Fonts, Part Two

{For part one of my favorite free fonts, click here.}

I am a font junkie. 

There I said it.

I get asked all the time what fonts I use to create my photo tags and labels, so I decided to share 15 of my favorite fonts with you today. 

There are so many fun, funky, pretty, fancy and cute fonts that it's hard to pick just a few!

Below the image you will find links to each of the fonts.

{Click on the font name to be taken to the download source}

Albemarle Swash

Caitlyn

Karabine

Making Lettering Tall

Splendid 66

Cupcake

Appleberry

Mardian

Pea Diana

Cutie Patootie

As Long As You Love Me

Antique

Simon Script

Eyes Wide Open

Objectum

Most of the fonts listed are available on dafont.com, while a few are on myfonts.com.

Be sure to come back next week when I'll be sharing my favorite chalkboard fonts!!

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Best of the Best {My Most Favorite and Popular Posts of 2012}

This has been another roller coaster year, but there have been so many blessings: reconnecting with old friends and meeting special new friends, building my blog and building incredible partnerships with other bloggers and companies. My children are thriving, my home is more "me" than it has ever been (when it's clean, of course!) and we are finally settling in to a real family routine.

It's always fun this time of year to reflect on what's been going on throughout the past year, so today I'm sharing my

Clockwise from top left:

DIY Striped Picture Frame

Living Room Makeover

Painted Brick Fireplace

Little Girl's Princess Room

Laundry Room Makeover

Chalk Painted Hutch

DIY Pallet Wood Sign

Junkin' Pumpkin

Master Bedroom Redo Redo

Repurposed Industrial Workbench to Desk

This list of course begs the question, did I accomplish any of my goals from 2012? 

Out of 16 goals that I listed, I completed, or have been actively pursing 12 of them. Go me!!!

I have so much more in store for the coming year...but you'll have to wait to find out what.

In the meantime, I have some questions for you, and all you lurkers, this is the time to come out of hiding, because I want to know what all of my fabulous readers would like to see at Simply Klassic!

1. Which of my top ten was your favorite post of 2012? Or was there something that wasn't on the list?

2. What would you like to see more of in the coming year? (small projects, crafts, room makeovers, recipes, printables, etc).

3. Is there anything that really bugs you about my blog? (Please use sensitivity when answering this one, there really is a REAL person on the other side of your keyboard. Thanks!)

I can't wait to hear all of your answers!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to stop by, read my posts, leave a comment here or interact on Facebook. I truly and humbly appreciate each and every one of you!!!

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A Christmas Wish

I will be on a blogging break until after the holidays. I have a lot to share with you all, but right now, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with my family.

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My Thoughts on the Connecticut Tragedy

It's been tough to come up with something to write about over the past several days, as I'm sure you can imagine. In the wake of tremendous tragedy, how do you begin to share things that all of a sudden seem so trivial?

The nation is in mourning. We are grieving. We are scared. Mourning the loss of innocent lives, grieving the innocence that so many children in that school, who survived, have lost, and scared to walk down the street, much less send our own children to school.

I started to write about my thoughts on gun control or on how we treat mental illness in this country, but then I got an email from a friend of mine, sharing her own thoughts, and I wanted to share with you what she had to say instead.

* * * * * * * *

Yesterday, the unthinkable happened. Innocent children will not return home after school. Lives were brutally ended. We can't make sense of it. What can we do is take responsibility for the life we've been given, to be kind and loving. We can tell our children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors about the love of GOD and how His Son, Jesus, died for our sins. Evil, as old as time, happened, yet we mustn't let our faith waiver. Instead, we must turn toward Him, to remember His love and kindness, His promises, to be thankful, and pray.

Pray for their parents, faculty, police & emergency personnel, and everyone affected, that they may know Christ, that they may find peace and comfort during these most difficult days.

Pray also that we can open dialog when we are having a hard time, seek professional care, and be open about our struggles. Too often when life gets too overwhelming, it is expressed in hurting oneself or hurting others. Start the dialog with those who are hurting, be open and supportive about getting help and be present to those who share with you.

* * * * * * * *

Grieve with those who have suffered unthinkable loss, and mourn the fallen innocents. But do not live in fear or guilt. Live in hope, and live in love. Do something good and kind for others. 

"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9

Reach out in love and do something kind for someone else. Be a blessing, so that we may all be reminded that there is love and goodness in this world too!

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$100 Visa Card Giveaway & a Cetaphil Product Review

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

I had great skin when I was growing up. But when I hit about 23, and my body began to change due to premature ovarian failure (read that story here), my skin became extremely sensitive and all of a sudden skin care had to become a priority.

I had a bad reaction to some makeup around this time, and had to stop using it for a while. My dermatologist recommended Cetaphil® Gentle Skin Cleanser, to replace what I had been using (um, soap). I was skeptical that a simple cleanser could make that much of a difference, but I figured I’d give it a shot.

One of my favorite things about the cleanser was how creamy and silky it is. It doesn’t lather like soap, so it doesn’t sting the eyes when washing your face. I wondered how well it would work though, because generally we associate soapy lather with cleansing power, right? But it worked fabulously!

I began using the cleanser in conjunction with Cetaphil® Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15. Within a few days my skin began to heal. About a month later I was able to start using make-up again, but I never quit using Cetaphil products. In fact, I still use them to this day, nearly…ahem…12 years later. The moisturizer isn’t greasy, doesn’t leave my face feeling sticky or oily, and as a bonus, my skin is more protected from the sun’s harmful rays!

Turns out that was good practice for me, since my son has had severe eczema-prone skin since he was an infant. He would break out in horrible rashes from his feet to his face. Our pediatrician and our allergist recommended Cetaphil ® Gentle Skin Cleanser, as other baby washes tended to be harsher on his sensitive skin. It was amazing how quickly his skin started to clear up once we had made that small change and became more diligent about moisturizing.

He's five now and we both still use the moisturizer! Although he isn't as cooperative as he used to be, as you can tell from the photo.

Did you know that Cetaphil products are the only brand of cleansers and moisturizers recommended by more than 90% of dermatologists AND are the #1 pediatrician recommended brand of cleansers and moisturizers? So it makes sense that Cetaphil® products are the brand dermatologists and pediatricians are most likely to recommend…and both of my doctors were right on the money.

Both the lotion and the cleanser are fragrance free and suitable for all skin types, but they also have a version specifically for sensitive skin, which is what I use. I have been a faithful user for 12 years and I highly recommend and stand behind Cetaphil products.

Cetaphil brand is offering a printable coupon to save $3 on any two Cetaphil products. Click here to save up to $3.

Now, how would you like to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer???

Tell me: Of all the skin care products you own, which one could you not live without?

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion, including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: #SweepstakesEntry and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 12/11/12 -1/7/13. Be sure to visit the Cetaphil brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

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A Charlie Brown Christmas Party & Project Linus

Before you get too excited, this isn't one of those, look at all my cutesy tags and banners kind of party. I just didn't have time to delve deep into the world of fabulous party planning. I did, however, want to make sure this little party did some good for someone other than us.

The Charlie Brown Christmas movie is my all time favorite. Hearing Linus recite the Christmas story gives me chills every time. Not only because of his sweet voice, but because in this precious moment, we learn exactly what Christmas is really all about. 

The plan was to watch the movie and have a special devotion afterwards for the kids, but they were too pumped up on sugar to make any of that work. 

For lunch I served oven baked ham and cheese sliders, with chips and veggies on the side. Nothing to do with the movie of course, but they were a hit.

You can't have a Christmas party without a hot chocolate bar.

And let's not forget the peppermint patty brownies for dessert (recipe here). (These actually DID go with the theme!! Get it, "Peppermint Patty"???).

Each year, instead of having the kids exchange gifts, I choose a service project. This year, we chose to support Project Linus, a non-profit organization that accepts handmade blankets and distributes them to children in need; specifically foster and critically ill children. My children, who were both adopted through foster care, were each recipients of a blanket.

We opted to make no-sew tie blankets. Each family made at least one, and we were able to donate eight blankets to Project Linus.

To top off the day, each child made a little treat to take home.

Sugar cone Christmas trees: turn a sugar ice cream cone upside down, cover with green icing, add candies and sprinkles, and enjoy!)

It was a fabulous time of friendship and togetherness and service, sharing in the spirit of the true meaning of Christmas.

If you're a fan of Charlie Brown's Christmas movie, you can't scroll past this without clicking (I know I can't!)

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Christmas Home Tour 2012

Christmas is a time for spending time with friends and family, so welcome to my home, 

all styled for Christmas!

I stuck with a more simple, rustic throughout the house, that worked well with my recent living room makeover.

I lined up some candles in mason jars for a simple, sweet Advent "non-wreath."

A simple green wreath and a few snowflake lights (Ikea) offer a hint of Christmas in the corner of the room. 

The side table vignette consists of an Ikea faux plant, a few pinecones and a sweet little birdie. The printable can be downloaded for free, here. (It comes in color too!)

Across the room you will find my mantel, with the centerpiece being my Industrial Film Reel Wreath. 

Details on the mantel here.

 My children decorated our Christmas tree. 

It's not perfect, but they love it (and so do I).

Moving on just slightly to the left is the dining room.

I absolutely LOVE my "rustic glam" centerpiece.

I don't usually decorate in the kitchen, but our sweet little Elf "Buddy" (no relation to Buddy from the movie Elf) thought we needed a little tree in there.

Christmas cookie cutters and red Dollar Store glitter ornaments adorn this little tree.

On the kitchen sideboard sits my grandmother's nativity. 

 

I purchased the Shiny Brites (not vintage) at Marshalls on clearance for $4 a box last year.

One of my favorite decorations by far, is this little handmade Santa. It was passed down from my grandmother, and I'm pretty sure she's the one who made it many, many years ago. It's made of felt glued to a Brandy glass.

I tied one of the Shiny Brites to the barn star that hangs in the kitchen. Sometimes it's the simplest things.

Finally, I had to share this drawing my son brought home for me from school. He just loves to draw, and it's been so fun to watch that develop over the years. Here is his nativity. It's actually his version of the Nativity on display at his preschool.

Thanks for stopping by today. I really hope you enjoyed this little glimpse of our home all decked out for Christmas!

If you're visiting for the first time, please take a moment to look around. I'd love to have you follow along via RSS, or join me over on Facebook or Pinterest.

sharing at:
Jennifer Rizzo's
 My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
The Inspired Room

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Pick Your Prize Giveaway!!! (Just in Time For Christmas)

Need a last minute gift for someone special in your life? 

Or maybe one for YOU???

I've teamed up with some pretty awesome bloggers to offer you a super cool giveaway!!!

One lucky person will win their choice of one of the prizes mentioned above!!!!

You have a fabulous opportunity here folks, not only to win a cool prize, but to discover some awesome new blogs at the same time. These are some of my very favorite ladies, so be sure to pay them a visit and say thanks!

Here's all the info you need to know on the giveaway ~ GOOD LUCK!!!

To Enter:

*Follow the guidelines in the rafflecopter box below.

*Please make sure you do what is asked, because we will be verifying the winner & their entries!

*In addition to the entries below, you also have the option to tweet about this giveaway everyday for additional entries!

This giveaway will end on Sunday, December 16 at midnight EST.

We hope you stick around for some more awesomeness along the way because this is only the beginning of what's to come for the holiday season!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Non Traditional Advent Candles

While my family always using their Christmas countdown chains, I love to light the Advent candles each Sunday. However, the traditional "wreath" is kind of lost on me, so I decided to put together some not to traditional.

While the wreath itself has significant religious meaning, I just prefer this particular set-up better. 

I'm such a rebel.

I haven't quite figured out how to add the Christ candle yet, but I'm thinking I will add a larger mason jar to the side on Christmas day.

The idea behind the tradition of the Advent Wreath is to light one candle each Sunday in Advent. There are various traditions within specific Protestant religions. For more information on the history, check out this article on Wikipedia.

It was super simple to pull together. 

I laid out my new runner from Target (here), and placed a old goldish wood frame on top. The mason jars are filled with epsom salt and a candle, and tied at the top with twine.

The greens are part of my Ikea faux greens that my children decided to pull apart.

Simple, rustic, beautiful!

Stop by tomorrow when I'll be linking up with Jennifer Rizzo's Christmas House tour!

Do you celebrate Advent?

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