She shouts, Style, where are you, Style? Giveaway Alert

"Where are you, Style?" 
Just like the great blog entry you are going to read over at Family Musings, I too often lose Style due to mommyhood, busyness, or plain laziness.

I look at my wardrobe and think..when did I become that dowdy mom I swore I never would be?  

Little losses to the enemy called casual comfort..literal baby steps and it's gone before you know it!

It doesn't help that when you are home all day, why would you put on the dress and the pearls?  I may love all things retro but I am not June Cleaver around here on any given Tuesday.  In fact, you better call before you stop by my house because I am probably not decent for company.  ;)  haha

I recently went to a NKOTBSB concert, and that is New Kids on the Block with Backstreet Boys. 

{I swear review is coming soon!}

I had to go shopping for a top and jewelry so I wouldn't feel like I was dressed to go grocery shopping.  I joked that it was "Ladies' Night" and I wanted to feel and look it!

2 weeks and 7 stores later, I finally had the look I wanted. 

Apparently, unless you want to spend $$$, they aren't making much for a fuller figured gals that doesn't resemble a tent or a knit shirt...at least that was how it was for me over the course of my shopping week.

So here we are after the concert, tired but elated! 

 And I think looking like some pretty hot mamas, if I do say so myself.  ;)  

This is Ashley and we went to our first NKOTB concert together in 1990.  

21 years later, here we are again and having a blast!

~

So if you, too, are in need for a bit of spicing up, at least in the jewelry department like I was, take your shot at the awesome giveaway over at Family Musings!  

$100 for an amazing online site called Ice.com.

So between you and me, I hope one of us wins! 

Good Luck and thanks for reading!

 

Encouragement, Perspective, and a little Giveaway

{The giveaway is done but the post is a good reminder to keep.}
Where do you go for encouragement?  My friends are where I turn.  And my mom.  And my husband.  I am blessed to be surrounded by a crowd of people who are gifted in this.  

If they are not, frankly, I would rather not surround myself with negative people...  

Life is too short and living life to it's fullest potential is too important. 

Encouragement is a powerful thing.  

I am so privileged to be a part of a MOPS group at my church.   During the school year, every Tuesday is filled with encouraging talks on applicable subjects along with practical Bible study by an amazing teacher.  It is a time for us to get together and encourage each other to be better moms, wives, and women of God.  I wouldn't be the same without the influence of these beautiful women! 

{Shameless plug, we start back August 30th, if you are local.  If not, please find a MOPS group in your area!  You will not regret it!  I have found some of my closest friends in that group.}

I had the opportunity to be a part of a review giveaway program through Dayspring and the incourage product line. They really do have some beautiful stuff.  

This is the fun whimsical item that I picked out.

Photo courtesy of Dayspring and incourage.

 It arrived packed extremely well.  A massive box, lots of balloon type packaging.  You can tell they are used to shipping fragile items at Dayspring.  

This guy isn't delicate, thank goodness, he is all medal.  It came with 3 magnets, as pictured.  The idea being you could put pictures or invites or whatever memos you might need to remember.

When I opened it up, there is a very large over-sized loop on the back to hang it from the wall.  

When I first saw it, I briefly thought it was an easel.  Obviously, it isn't but it left me wishing it would have had that option rather than just hanging on a wall.

Other than not meeting my unrealistic expectation-on-a-whim, it is a delightful product that will make a lovely addition to our master bathroom. 

I am secretly hoping for some love notes of encouragement. ;)

However, here is what happened to mine:

Can you see that?  That is a pen left on the counter, grabbed by a little boy, who found he needed to trace the circle magnets and leave me some doodles, as well.

Admittedly, I was saddened when I saw the pen marks all over the once-pristine shiny board.

But then I had to quickly step back and re-read the bottom line message of this product.

Count Your Blessings.

Count is as a gift that I have a mobile active 3 year old that thinks every doodle is precious and life is his canvas.  

Will I try to clean it off.  I might.  But perhaps I might leave it as a reminder that life moves pretty fast, I am so blessed and doodles don't last....

So I want to encourage you to look at those little messes as blessings or gifts every now and then.  Before you scold, remember that it won't last and tomorrow they will be gone.   Faster than we can even imagine.

And I bet I will miss those little surprises of art he leaves behind.

Now for the Giveaway!

For one lucky reader,  you will win a $20 credit to purchase whatever you like in the incourage product line!
To enter, all you need to do is #1. follow me and #2 leave a comment below telling me that you have done this.
And if you want to tell me what encourages you, that would just be a nice little bonus for me!
Super easy!
Contest ends July 5th @ 9 pm.
Good luck!

To adhere to the FTC requirements, I wan to tell you that DaySpring gave me the free product to review and all opinions stated are my own.

My Birthday Special ~Buy a Gift for Yourself and WIN

 

{Made using My Digital Studio by Stampin' Up}

Today is my birthday!
As a thank you for your support, any online or emailed orders placed on June 1st, 2011, will be entered into a drawing for a goody package including hand stamped cards & gifts from Dearie Designs, paper/supplies pack by Stampin' UP, and the new Stampin' Up Idea Book 2011-2012, when it arrives July 1st ~FREE!
Details: Orders count when either placed in my online shop through my Stampin Up web site or emailing me with your SU order OR purchases of DearieDesigns items for sale in my etsy shop.

Contact me with questions.  Good luck!

Are you following my DearieDesigns blog?  If not, come on over!  If so, sorry for seeing this twice! ;)

Dayspring $20 GC Giveaway from two friends

Isn't this fun?  I love BOLD and this is just that!

Picture from Dayspring's Site

  

Please look at the lovely things [pretty or BOLD] you can purchase at Dayspring and then head over to the Family Musings Giveaway.  

When you are done there, stop by A Flower in the Rain's Giveaway, too!  

Double your chances!!

If you win, let me know what you pick out!

Mom's Day Photography Session Giveaway- Lakeland

Beautiful work from Fishy Face Studios.

Who wouldn't want these lovely people to capture moments of their family?  

For free you say?  Now that is my favorite price!  

Enter now for their giveaway!  Deadline is Sunday at 1pm.

I want to win but, as my friend, Kelley said, I will be happy for you if you win, too.  ;)

6 chances to win and pay attention: You enter 6 DIFFERENT comments.  Not all in one comment entry.

Good luck!

 fishy face studios giveaway

Giveaway at Magnolia Designs

Hey everyone go check out Magnolia Designs! She is doing a "like" contest for most referrals. Go like her page and get your friends to like her page and them to tell her who sent them! [Or you can just say my name: AmyDearie haha]


The most referrals winner gets a super cute crochet beanie with 3 flowers! 


The game is over March 1 at noon!

Just Between Friends & Family Musings Giveaway

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for a way to get a little MORE for my hard-to-come-by buck!

My mom & I got an amazing stash of baby girl brand name/high quality clothes for not much more than $50 at a similar event in Winterhaven last year.

I am really looking forward to checking out this event, Just Between Friends, in Tampa to see what we can find for both of my babies!

Right now, Jennifer at Family Musings is giving away a $50 gift certificate for this upcoming benefit sale!!  So head over there, get your entries in, and tell her I sent you!  Good Luck!