Happy Holidays (see you back here on 12/30)!

In the meantime...

Feel free to catch up on some oldies, but goodies!

Princess party decor!

Last weekend we had a party for Alivia’s 3rd birthday!  I still can’t believe my baby turned 3!  It seems like yesterday I was holding an infant in my arms mesmerized by my doe eyed girl looking curiously back at me!  I remember her blinking slowly until they became fewer and far between and the next thing I knew she had drifted off to asleep.  I didn’t think anything could top those moments of mother daughter bonding as I held her close to my chest and watched her for hours.  It was then I realized I was truly happy!

Yet each day she continues to amaze me. And although I try to prepare myself for the milestones, accomplishments, efforts, silliness, passion, curiosity, and everything else she has grown to be in the last 3 years, I realize it’s an impossible and unrealistic task.  And I’m okay with that.  In fact, I’ve come to love the spontaneity of it all!

Stay connected with these must have apps!

When a blogger goes on vacation, their smartphone gets some serious use! While Cropped Stories is away, I volunteered to guest post for her. I, too, was away on vacation. I blog over at Krystal’s Kitsch, and I am happy to share some iPhone apps for those well-connected bloggers.

We hit up a beautiful beach on the Atlantic coast of Florida, and enjoyed the very HOT weather! Bloggers love to share photos, document their trips, and stay connected to their readers. I have compiled a list of must have Blogger iPhone Apps for those writers on the go!

Your kids will burn up with these HOT Back to School supplies

I feel like a ridiculously premature Fall clothing line in a one of your local retailers (you know the ones that had their Fall clothing line available at the beginning of the Summer)?  Now I walk into stores and there’s limited Summer apparel but boat loads of clothing I can’t even wear yet unless I’d like to sweat my hiney off in a pair of corduroy pants and a thin knit sweater!  It’s sort of a pet peeve of mine.  And now here I am publishing this post on back to school supplies and we are barely into August.  I’ve just become my worst nightmare!

HOT BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Nah, I’m just kidding.  I’m well aware of the benefits of being proactive (since I am myself) and feeling the satisfaction of crossing off an item on your to do list.  For those out there with school age kids that haven’t shopped for back to school supplies yet, I hope you’ll find this post helpful!  You’ll find my list of items are affordable, fun, trendy and, like my post title describes them, HOT! 

Get Festive with this 4th of July Decor!

With Independence Day being right around the corner it got me thinking about how I wish I was going to be home to host it this year!  Instead, the hubby and I have a wedding to attend on the 4th.  Of course that wasn’t going to stop me from browsing online for patriotic decor!  No way!  I have too much fun doing it every year!  That’s just another great thing about having a blog!  The browsing, ogling, bookmarking, and pinning certainly wouldn’t go to waste when I have all of you to share my favorite party decor ideas with – so thank you!

Simple and Inexpensive Toys are Sometimes the Best Kind!

Some of the best toys are the ones that happen to be simple, the least inexpensive, and keep my little one entertained for hours.  Do you find this to be true?  

It seems like I'm always concerned with purchasing educational, highly rated and recommended, or consumer reviewed toys when it comes to my toddler.  And although a lot of these purchases end up being smart purchases in that my little one plays with them often, there are some that just sit in the toy box collecting dust leaving me questioning why. What's more is that most of the time these toys are among the most expensive purchases and I can't help to think  - what a waste.

Toddler Clothing: Recommendations from an Experienced Shop-a-holic!

Do you have a shopping addiction?  I sure do!  Before I had my first child, Alivia, it was a handbag and shoe addiction.  Now that I have Alivia, it's an addiction to little girl's clothing!  The beautiful colors, enticing trims, fun prints, and soft fabrics always seem to call my name when I walk by.  And because Alivia loves clothing, shoes, and accessories just as much as me if not more makes it almost impossible to fight the urge to buy her pretty things!  Let me tell you how bad it's gotten.

Potty Training Tips: the Potty Prize Basket!

Before I get into my post, I just wanted to turn your attention over to the poll I have displayed in my sidebar to the right.  I am trying to establish which topics readers find interesting.  I hope you'll take the few seconds to vote.  I would appreciate it very much and thanks in advance if you do!

Organizing your Workspace in Photoshop with these 6 Toolbars

Are you new to Photoshop or does Photoshop frighten you?  C'mon, you can tell me.  It frightened me terribly when I first opened it so trust me when I say I understand completely!  Can I tell you a little secret though?  It’s not as scary as it looks.  That’s right.  In fact, with a little workspace organization, you will be up and running in no time!  Promise!

Book Recommendations for your Toddler

In case you didn't see it, I posted a poll in my sidebar (to the right).  I hope you'll take a view seconds to vote!  I would really appreciate it!

Lately, the little one (Alivia) and I have been doing a lot of reading.  And I mean A LOT!  10 books in one sitting wouldn't be unheard of in our house and not just once but at least twice a day.  At least!  It's a good thing Alivia has good taste in books or I may have considered this a monotonous task to read the same ol' books over and over again!  Instead, we have such a great time during our reading adventures.  I love to use silly voices and get really animated while I read to her.  I'm pretty certain she appreciates my efforts or I don't think I'd be getting as many smiles, giggles, and requests to read them just one more time!  Reading is such a great opportunity to bond with your children.  As a bonus, they get to learn as well and there is nothing better than that!

Inspiring Blog Headers (a collection of my favorites)!

See the poll in my sidebar (to the right)?  Feel free to take it if you’d like!  It would really help me out!  I’d love to to know what topic appeals to you most!

BLOG HEADERS THAT WILL INSPIRE

Thinking about a facelift for your website?  I think about it all the time.  Not because I don't like my current design but because I have a tiny obsession with creating new things!  I like to push, challenge, and test myself artistically.  It aids my growth and, yes, feeds my obsession quite nicely!  Design has always been a passion for me.  In my blog hopping ventures, I've come across quite a variety of gorgeous designs. Some so beautiful that I can't help stopping over repeatedly just to gawk at their blog header (mouth wide open in aw and eyes bulging from my head included).  Yes, they have that much impact on me!  I guess you could say I'm a design stalker of sorts.  Don't worry, I'm harmless I promise.  I just love and appreciate anything that inspires me!  To me, it's the best feeling in the world!

How to increase your blog traffic and make new friends!

Hope you don’t mind if I get right down to the nitty gritty!  Feel free to grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and make yourself comfortable.  I have some good tips for you today!

INCREASE YOUR BLOG TRAFFIC WITH THESE 11 TIPS

1. LINK UP TO BLOG HOPS but participate with CAUTION!  Before you move on, please read Blog Hops and Facebook (have you read Facebook’s terms)?  I can’t stress this one enough!  They are the best tool out there for bloggers to meet new people with similar interests.  Most blog hops require you to follow the hosts and co-hosts, then you’re on your own.  You are able to follow the sites you like and in return they’ll follow you back.  It’s that simple!  It’s a great way to drive traffic to your blog, increase your following and social media contacts.  Feel free to visit my Link Ups Page for a list of active Blog Hops!

My Top 15 Men’s Gift Recommendations

With the hubby’s birthday coming up soon, it got me thinking about men’s gifts.  I almost love shopping for the hubby more than myself!  Almost.  With Father’s Day around the corner too, I thought this would be an excellent time to publish a post on my top choices for men’s gifts!  Ladies, we can’t forget about the men in our lives.  They deserve a little spoiling too right?!  I know Mother’s Day hasn’t even passed, but I like to get a head start on my shopping!  I’m not very good under pressure.  I’d hate to think of what it would be like shopping for a gift at the last minute.  It gives me anxiety just thinking about it!

Shopping early also gives me the opportunity to take my time and do it stress free!  I am able to put a lot of thought into finding the perfect gift!  So today, I’m excited to share a list of the Top 15 items I would recommend for men!  If you are looking for something affordable, I have you covered.  Want to splurge a little?  No worries, I have you folks covered too!  You’ll find everything from electronics, tech toys, and clothing, to jewelry, accessories, and gaming tools, etc. so I hope you are ready to do some clicking!

Blogging resources, tools, widgets, html etc. you should check out!

If you can believe it, this post has been sitting in my drafts folder for at least a month.  It’s a good thing I checked it!  I’d hate to deprive you all of the adorableness!  I love these pictures of Livi in her room.  I took them the same day I photographed her BIG girl bed.  If you missed this post, feel free to check it out!

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas!

If you love your mother, raise your hand!  Now I know I can’t see you, but I sure hope you have your hand raised.  Actually, no I don’t ‘cause that would just be weird.  You know I can’t see you right?

Okay, seriously though, are you prepared for Mother’s Day?  I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of gift giving!  There’s nothing else I rather be doing than looking for, buying, or giving a gift!  There is just something about it that makes me happy.  With that said, you can bet I already started looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift.  I know my mom would be happy with almost anything, but I like to put a lot of thought and effort into it.  That’s what makes it so much fun!  Then once I find the perfect gift, it’ll be almost impossible to contain my excitement!   I guess I’m just a BIG kid at heart.  Well that, and I love my mother VERY much!

 

4 Educational Toy Recommendations!

Once you click on the Read More link and start scrolling down, you’ll see the little cutie that prompted this post!  If you can imagine, these pictures are from Easter!  I’m so behind with my photo processing, it’s a little ridiculous!  I am happy about becoming best buddies with my camera again!  We separated for a few months awhile back there and boy did it hurt.  I just knew we’d get back together though!

 

Today, I have a few educational toy recommendations for you.  So if you have a little one at home, these are some must have items!