Friday's Letters: Houses, Nautical, Nephew

I really love that this link up exists (it's one of my favorites) because when I don't now what to post on a Friday (it's a hard day to get my brain to work well) it gives me ideas.

Dear Readers,
I haven't been able to think of good posts for a couple of days now. I am slightly overwhelmed with work right now. Also, we've started booking events over at Beauty Mavens! We're beyond excited, and we're also going to have a table at a bridal expo this summer in Boston! Cannot. Wait.

Dear Houses,
You're tough to shop around for. Although, I have to say I am pretty impressed with my ability to see beyond ugly trim and brown doors (I don't like medium wood colored interior doors for some reason! Give me white!!) I think my consumption of HGTV over the past few years as made me realize that cosmetic changes are super easy (and possibly even really fun?!). Bring on the ugly living rooms, I'm ready for you, brass and brick and weird fireplaces!

Dear Sephora Nail Art Things,
You're awesome. You work so well. We're going to be great friends.

Dear Spring Accessories,
I'm really feeling you right now, especially some of you nautical pieces. I got inspired to make a little collection of you. If it wasn't my birthday soon and if I didn't subsequently feel guilty about buying things for myself, I'd get a couple of you (although I did have to buy a Freebie Friday anchor bracelet yesterday here). I am also eyeing Lemon and Line bracelets. I would wear every single one and they'd be perfect for our Newport trip this summer!

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P.S. My nephew was born yesterday!!!! Ryan Henry (how cute is that?). I can't wait to hold him this weekend!! 

Guess Who's Back

Back again. Amy's back. Tell a friend. Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back da na na...

All right. Enough of that.

So I was going to give you a bunch of precious pictures of Carter opening and having fun with his Christmas gifts, but I forgot my camera USB cable at home (we are staying at my parents' house right now).

Let me paint a picture for you instead: lots of sliding down cool plastic indoor slides, riding in big trucks, remote control cars for toddlers, and other boy things. It's so funny how little boys instinctively love things like cars, trucks and anything physical that they can show off on. Carter provides top notch entertainment.

He also has a sweet, loving, nurturing side. He's been giving lots of kisses to his new veggie tales stuffed animals and to his adorable cousin Ben who's a few months younger than him.

I'm off to take a little trip to Sephora with my sister to get what I think will be  my new favorite lipstick.

We might also make a stop for jewelry supplies.

Want a little preview of some upcoming posts?
-a giveaway!
-the beginning of a Best Friends Series (this is hilarious, not serious and boring like it sounds)--you're welcome, Kelsey. ; )
-too many pictures
-a lip correction makeup tutorial! (with aforementioned lip stick so you might want to snag that on Amazon if you want to recreate the exact look--it's gonna be a good one, I just got goosebumps) ; )

All right, friends. Talk so you soon! xoxoxo

Carter and "Santa" last year...aawwwww <3

SHOP OPENING!

Update! It's HERE! Blog or Tweet about the shop (and include a link) and receive a 10% discount code! (Just email me with a link to your post/tweet and I'll send you the code!)

Also, there's a GREAT giveaway that I'm a part of, so I wanted to post the entry form here. There are tons of awesome ladies involved!

Check out the list below to see what each blogger is giving away!

1. Kaitlin from Kaitlin Leigh - A Starbucks Glitter Tumbler

2. Brandi from Brooklyn State of Mind- $15 Target gift card & a Holiday Glam Surprise

3. Melissa from Grin & Barrett- $25 Starbucks gift card

4. Meg from You're Meaghan Me Crazy- Crocheted Infinity Scarf

5. Haley Brianna from The Ink & Anchor- Ad Space

6. Crystal Taylor from Billie Jean- $15 Anthropologie gift card

7. Kelsey E. from Stories of Kel- 1 Premiere Ad Space

8. PipLey Vintage- 30% off all store items include sale items

9. Stephanie from The Vintage Modern Wife- ELF Eyeshadow Palette

10. Kelsey G. from Beauty without Limits- 1 Month Ad Space

11. Amy from Not Your Average Baby Blog- 1 Month Ad Space

12. Abbey from The Makings of a Mess- Ad Space

13. Brittany from The Domestic Geek- Ad Space

14. Jessica from Sew Do Something- $20 Gift Certificate to her shop

15. Lisette from Northern Belle Diaries- 2 Month Ad Space

16. Sarah from Scissors and a Whisk- Frost Bitten, Twice Shy Nail polish Set

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!!

I have some exciting news today!! After going a little jewelry making crazy, I've decided to open a temporary shop! If it goes well, I might make it a regular thing! It will open at midnight at notyouraverage.storenvy.com 

 Here's a little sneak peak at some of the goods:

I hope you guys will stop by to check it out! If you have any questions about any of the items in the shop, email me at notyouraverageshop@gmail.com 

Woo hoo! I'm so excited! : )

Baby Shopping + Shameless Plug

Baha, "Baby Shopping." Doesn't that sound like you're going to go out and pick yourself up a real, live baby at Toys R Us?

So sometimes I find myself wanting a second baby just so I can buy all the things on my "second baby list" that I have stored up on one of the many "for the future" lists in my head. Now, obviously these shopping compulsions are not a good reason to have a second child, so I'm just going to preface this post and tell you therefore Carter shall remain an only child for now, and possibly for forever, unless my desire for a second child ever goes beyond shopping (which we all know you have no time for with a baby anyway).

For instance, look at this foot muff. Is this not the prettiest purple you've ever seen? It screams precious baby girl.

And this sleep positioner? Where was this when Carter had colic and had to stay at an incline 24/7 because of his food allergies and constant vomiting?? Could've saved me from buying a hundred other sleepers/bouncy seats

And WHY in the WORLD did I now know about this fantastic little gizmo? It has recorded sounds from INSIDE a mother's womb. Talk about genius. Forget running a fan, a vacuum, and a hair dryer in the middle of the night when times get desperate. Plus, Carter still uses his sound machine at 17 months so this would have been one of those you're actually going to use it for more than two weeks baby purchases.

If you are expecting or have a little newborn--probably this little bear is the best purchase you could ever make. The miracles that those little sound machines produce are mind boggling. These little, sweet, tiny newborn babes would really prefer a train whizzing through the living room while they sleep. This is a lot easier than putting up railroad tracks in your house, I promise. 

Before I leave you, I would just like to include a little shameless plug. You see, the oh so talented Brie from Sophistifunk is holding a Halloween costume contest that we're participating in, and I wouldn't mind at all if you wanted to go over there and vote for us ; )

P.S. Have you seen her shop? Most adorable/trendy/perfect bracelets EVER.

Guest Post: Amanda from Flightless Bird Design

Hi friends! I'd love to introduce you to Amanda, the owner of  Flightless Bird Design on Etsy.

I am in love with so many items from her shop. Here are just a few of them:

I seriously love this print and Amanda was sweet enough to send it to me! I can't wait to find the perfect place for it!

Don't worry, I won't make you wait to hear from her any longer. Friends, meet Amanda:

I feel like I’ve never been that artsy or creative in my life, but all of a sudden I wanted to be that person terribly. So one day, I found myself sitting at my kitchen table starting to draw. Mind you, the first dozen drawings were not exactly what I wanted and eventually got better in time. After I got the creative juices flowing a bit, I started to expand my mind into other creative outlets. I have found that I do like to work with my hands and produce things that make me happy but will also bring happiness and joy to others. I first started making things because I found it to be quite enjoyable and relaxing. But then I found myself with an abundance of items that I had no idea what to do with! Then ta-da! I found Etsy, and that is how my shop was created. 

My shop is really just a collection of little things that I like. In each piece I make, I like to think that it reflects different parts of my personality. Some of my favorite things in my shop are my drawings. I truly love the prints that I make available to everyone. Each one tells its own story to the person looking at it. It may mean one thing to one person, but could mean something completely different to another. It gives people a chance to kind of make it their own in a way. I have always been a fan of drawings or music that could have multiple meanings to mass amounts of people. It just makes it all the more powerful. 

I really do think that everyone is capable of being that person they always aspire to be. It is hard work and sometimes not that easy to get to, but is completely worth it in the end. 

I once read this quote, and sometimes can’t remember it at times that I truly need it, but every time I do see it, it is inspiring all over again. It reads, “Don’t dream your life, Live your dreams”. 

Go check out her shop, it's lovely! And follow her on Twitter!

Hope you're having a wonderful Tuesday. We had an interesting day yesterday. Stay tuned. 

The Noonday Collection

On a blog I recently started following, She Breathes Deeply, there is a giveaway for jewelry from The Noonday Collection .  The website features fair trade jewelry, accessories and home decor. Who doesn't like helping others while helping themselves to beautiful things?

Here is the mission statement from their website:


"our passion at noonday collection is to connect you with the lives of artisans struggling for a better future while styling you along the way. fashion and design are a vehicle for opportunity and change. you, too, can be a voice for the oppressed!"

I really like these Tagua seed bracelets. 

So cute!