A family lifestyle blog
I’m SUCH a softie over hand-stamped jewelry. I just can’t get enough of that look, it’s so romantic and perfect for every day use. Recently I stumbled across the Rustic Metal Creations website and had to snag it as a sponsor for your 2013 Fashionista Event prize. This website offers so many timeless pieces, perfect for any age and any gender.
Cuff bracelets are one of my favorite jewelry styles, and this one is a must-have. It’s double-sided which makes it different.
Back in the day when my daughter was really small, I used to sell her boutique clothing on eBay. If you’ve shopped (or sold) on eBay you know that having the pictures just right makes a huge, huge difference in the listing. Because of this, I spent hours getting the pictures just right, editing the pictures, and trying to create the perfect listing. It was time consuming and frustrating at times because I didn’t have a program to do all that for me. Fast forward five years later….it’s amazing how accessible such programs are today! [Read more…]
You and I both know that Mother’s Day is just around the corner. This year I’m determined to save myself a lot of grief over getting an appreciated gift……I’m going to plan ahead. Most years around this time, I think, It’s only February. I’ve got plenty of time. March somehow flies by, then a fuzzy thought in April pops in…..Hmmm, what am I getting the grandmas for Mother’s Day this year? Some random toy flies by in my peripheral vision right about then, so I lose that thought. Then all of a sudden it’s the Saturday morning before Mother’s Day and panic sets in when I realize it’s too late to send a card and still have it arrive on time. My last resort is an expensive edible fruit arrangement or a gift card, knowing that my mom will just regift it and never enjoy it herself. How do I know? Because that’s what has happened the past two years.
A reader comment spurred me to add the reminder that Mother’s Day can be a special day for ALL women, not just mothers. I love to remember my girlfriends, special women in my life, single moms…anyone who might need a pick-me-up. Mother’s Day is just a good reminder of that.
Our beloved grandmothers aren’t really on Facebook or Instagram, so they miss out on all the cute candid shots that are shared in our family. This year I’ve found a way to solve that problem as well as the whole Mother’s Day gift situation. Blurb books are ideal and convenient for gift-giving as well as memory preserving. This is perfect timing, too, since Blurb is offering 25% off purchases from 2/22-2/25. Head over to Blurb now and tap into your creative side! [Read more…]
Good things come in beautiful packages.
This is a Pinterest-worthy box if I ever saw one!
For this Sponsor Spotlight, let’s welcome Origami Owl consultant Felecia Baird. Origami Owl is known for their beautiful “living locket,” a piece of art that represents you when you wear it. [Read more…]
It’s about that time….my hands are longing to start some seeds. I’m ready to see the first daffodils poke out of the ground to announce spring. I’ve already started reading an abundance of gardening info, suggesting much more than I can easily accomplish in one season. Sometimes it’s fun just to read about other people’s gardening adventures. That’s where Greenwoman magazine comes in.
I keep my Greenwoman magazine with my seed catalogs. [Read more…]
If you have any touchscreens around the house, chances are you’ve battled the fingerprint problem. It doesn’t seem to matter how diligent I am with handwashing; the fingerprints are all over my screen in just the first use. That’s not including the grubby hands of my kids touching the screens. The convenience of smartphones, iPads, and all of that great technology is evidenced by the number of oily smears on the screens, and it’s time to put a stop to the madness. I’m a little paranoid about using cleaners and sprays on my screens, and for good reason. Those abrasive chemicals can do irreparable damage to the sensitive touchscreens, not to mention that I don’t want to have those chemicals on my fingers. I’m sometimes tempted to use a towel, a tissue, or the corner of my sweater. Those materials can leave lint, threads, or even scratches on the glass. So what to do? [Read more…]
Okay, my Tricities posts are expanding. There’s just so much I want to share with you about this wonderful area in the heart of the Appalachia Mountains! This past weekend, we visited Asheville, NC to attend the Yo Gabba Gabba show. We arrived a bit early and had some time to spare after we picked up our tickets. Eat at the concession stand while we had the heart of Asheville to ourselves?! No way!
We decided to take a stroll downtown to see what we could muster up for supper. We started out at a wonderful crepe place, but my kids weren’t interested. How they could pass up Nutella-and-strawberry crepes, I’ll never know. We passed a multitude of chocolate shops and bakeries before we finally found Mayfel’s on College Street.
Alright, disclaimer time. I feel that I must tell you, when you go to Mayfel’s, you’d better show up hungry. Because they are very generous with the portions. But if you don’t have much of an appetite, don’t let it stop you….just grab a dessert instead. The beignets looked AMAZING. There was a layer cake (such an understatement) in the case when we walked in that literally called out my name. It did!! [Read more…]
Loving the Maggie Bags that I’ve been posting about? Here’s your chance to win another one…..this time, a Tote of Many Colors. This is the most eco-friendly bag that Maggie Bags offers. This is the bag that you’ll reach for every time….headed to the beach, off on a playdate, or as an impromptu diaper bag, the Tote of Many Colors is your go-to bag. It’s the one that will get compliments every time, too.
I thought I’d never turn 16 and be able to drive. Then I thought high school would never end. In college, I wondered if Mr. Right would ever come along. But all of those events pale in comparison to the wonderful joy of my children. They are the best thing I ever had to wait for. We had trouble with both pregnancies, so the arrival of my children was like a dream come true. When my daughter was younger, I used to buy her the cutest little matchy-matchy outfits from the boutiques. She was such a tiny little thing, it was like dressing a doll!! I used to tell my husband that God gave me a girl so that I could dress her up. [Read more…]
