M A K E :: tiny spools necklace

Did you see this fun "tiny spools necklace" diy I shared over on Wonder Forest?? It's one of the easiest and sweetest diys to date. Check it out here!

xo. mel

Gretch Gets A Bath

Gretchen got a bath and it was quite possibly one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Of course I had to take photos and share it on the internets. 

Be sure to enter the Deeply Rooted Mag Giveaway below!

xo. mel

Deeply Rooted Magazine Giveaway

I am SO excited to share this magazine with y'all! I first heard about Deeply Rooted a few months ago via Instagram. I followed the link to their Indiegogo website and was instantly smitten! What started as a dream became a reality and I could not be more excited for Dianne, the founder of this fantastic magazine! The photography is beautiful, the articles are spot on, and I am totally in love! 

The very first issue of Deeply Rooted Magazine is centered around the theme: seed. Before a great and mighty tree can ever stretch toward the sky, it begins as a seed, taking root and building a system that will hold itself up when faced with brutal weather. Before we can ever become rooted in our Christian faith, we too must build a solid foundation, so that we can bear fruit as Christians. 

Some featured articles inside are:

• Theology 101: Becoming Deeply Rooted in Scripture Alone
• The Natural: How Faith Informs Lifestyle Part 1
• Four Ways to Raise Creative Children
• Marriage: An instrument of Death and Resurection

DETAILS // Digital Version. 96 pages or 48 spreads; PDF version - phone, tablet and desktop ready; interactive links. Cover photo by Kristin Rogers

Deeply Rooted is offering one lucky Pie N' the Sky reader, a free digital copy of their first issue! I'll announce the winner next Monday - Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BITS + PIECES

This last month has been so very crazy and wonderful. From adding a member to the family, to getting a new job, to Elisha's first triathlon of the season... it's felt like a whirlwind. I love change when the change is good. This change has been incredible, but that's not to say it hasn't come with it's own set of challenges. We're coming up with new routines, figuring out what our new "normal" is and learning a lot along the way. PS is still very important to me and something I fully intend on putting more time and attention to; I'm just learning the balance. Oh the balance. Does anyone ever really get the balance? I hope to soon, and am so thankful for each of you for joining me in the process. Y'all are the best!

Happy Easter! Mel

W E A R :: puppies and posies

details :: dress c/o Chicwish, tights/forever21

I know it's been entirely too long since I shared a post! I have had a ton of different transitions and I'm just now able to sit down for a free moment. I got a new job! And I love it! Elisha is running his first triathlon for the year, this weekend. So, we're headed out to Houston, and Gretchen is joining us! You can hop on my instagram for peeks of the race! Welcoming Spring with the prettiest floral dress I own!

Happy Weekend! Mel

M A K E :: dog teepee

Gretchen has quickly become the apple of our eye. She is just the sweetest little thing, that sometimes I question if she's even real. Her favorite is cuddling, so she loves being in her fluffy bed with her blanket on top of her. I wanted to make her bed even cozier by adding a sweet little teepee! Because every dog needs a teepee! Alright maybe they don't need it, but they sure do look cute standing inside one.

S U P P L I E S  ::  five wooden dowels 3" 1/2 , one yard of fabric , raffia (or yarn, leather cord, etc.) , needle + thread

1) Begin with three of your wooden dowels. Stand them up and criss cross them as seen in the photo above. At this point you should see how wide your teepee will be. You can adjust accordingly. Take your raffia and wrap it around each dowel, securing it tightly.

2) Add the two remaining dowels as seen in the photo above. You should make an asterisk of sorts. Notice the space between the bottom two dowels is larger; this is where the "entrance" will be. Secure the dowels using the raffia and be sure to wrap it around several times to ensure that they won't budge. 

3) Take your fabric and drape it around. You may want to cut it, and if you do, I would suggest cutting it in the shape of a sailboat (semicircle). I chose not to cut it, because I wanted it to be a bit drapey (that's not a word). Use your needle and thread to stitch across the top opening of the teepee. This will secure your fabric in place.

4) Stick your cushion or dog bed inside and add any embellishments you'd like, to your teepee. I added a little garland we had leftover from our wedding. I think it's a nice little touch.

Now your dog can enjoy her new little home! It's easy to pick up and move around if you need to. And you can have fun choosing a fabric that suits your pup and your home! Obviously, you can modify this for a kitty, which I know all my sweet cat ladies will love!

If you try this out, leave a comment below or tag me on instagram (@pienthesky) so we can all see! 

Thanks! Melisa

*for more MAKE projects, go here 

A W O E :: don't lose heart

I really felt like I needed to send out some encouragement to you beautiful ladies this morning. Sometimes I have some rough days, or weeks, or months, or yes, years! And there's never really anything anyone can say to "make it better", but simply knowing that you're not going through it alone is enough. One of the incredible things that I've come to realize, is that I have been blessed with an incredible community of women. I know that at any given point, no matter the situation, I can find one (or more) friend to talk to. The older I get, the more I realize that not everyone has that. And that breaks my heart. Because as women, however strong we may be (and yes, we are!) we still need someone. We need comfort and we need encouragement and we need to know that we're not the only ones! Ya know? So, I wanted to write you today to say that you are not alone, you're not the only one facing this issue, there isn't something irreversibly wrong with you, you are not the only one feeling this way, you are not too far gone, you can still do it, there is still a plan, there is a way out, and you're going to make it. You may feel broken, or empty, or purposeless, or ugly, or unwanted, or incapable, or unable, but I know that you're whole, made with purpose, beautiful, wanted, capable and more than able of accomplishing big and wonderful things. So don't lose heart my friend. 

I know that my words aren't always the best and it's easy to dismiss just one voice, so I thought I'd collect a variety of different videos and posts that I have found so inspiring! So take a minute and let your heart be full.

Broken is the Beginning Video - Glennon Melton

Do Your Thing - Spirit and Haven

How Do You Define Yourself - Lizzie Velasquez

On Changing Dreams - Emma Chapman

A Pep Talk - Kid President

Learning As I Go - Always Rooney

Today I'm Old - Wonder Forest

I also find that looking at puppy pictures or listening to a good song, helps me feel good. Chin up.

xo. melisa

** you can read more of my words of encouragement here.